Post 2019: Roads in Jammu Kashmir grow by 17.6%, government schools decline by nearly 19%

August 13, 2025 by News Desk

Since 2019, Jammu Kashmir’s development trajectory reveals clear governmental priorities, with expansion of road infrastructure sharply contrasting with a significant reduction in public educational facilities.

Official data shows that Jammu and Kashmir’s road network has expanded by approximately 17.6% over the past six years, growing from around 35,000 kilometers in 2019 to more than 41,000 kilometers in 2025. Daily road construction rates have tripled, and the share of blacktopped roads has increased from 66% to 74%.

Major projects, including 47 highway initiatives and the inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel, underline a strong push for improving physical connectivity and economic integration in the region.

In sharp contrast, data presented in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary reveals an 18.9% decline in the number of government schools in Jammu Kashmir between 2019-20 and 2023-24.

The region lost 4,380 schools, dropping from 23,165 to 18,785 government schools, the steepest percentage decrease among all Indian states and Union Territories.