Jammu, August 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The proposed PM Ekta (Unity) Malls in Jammu and Srinagar are expected to give Jammu and Kashmir’s artisans, self-help groups and small entrepreneurs a dedicated platform to showcase and sell locally produced and traditional goods to tourists and customers from across the country.
The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, recently approved construction of the two malls at an estimated cost of Rs 255 crore.
The facilities will focus on local crafts, Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products and goods covered under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative. Besides improving market access, the malls are expected to help artisans establish direct links with consumers and expand beyond local markets.
Artisans in Udhampur have welcomed the initiative, particularly those working in handicrafts, handloom and other traditional occupations.
Fabric artist Anamika Sharma said the malls could provide artisans with a much-needed physical space to display their work. She said she currently sells her handicraft products through online platforms but would benefit from a place where customers could interact directly with creators and provide feedback while traditional crafts are preserved.
Artist Nazreen Salaria also welcomed the initiative, saying the mall would offer artisans a platform that had previously been unavailable to them and enable direct interaction with customers.
Udhampur District Industries Centre General Manager Kishore Singh Katoch said the Jammu mall would boost the region’s economy, trade, tourism and MSME sector. He said artisans and small entrepreneurs who had taken loans to establish businesses would be able to display their products and increase sales.
Handicrafts Service Centre Assistant Director Ambika Sambyal described the project as a vision-oriented initiative that could provide a strong marketing platform for local handloom and handicraft artisans.
She said a centralised marketplace would also help residents and visitors access authentic products from Jammu and Kashmir.
The malls are expected to strengthen the local industrial ecosystem, support entrepreneurship and self-help groups, promote tourism and provide wider visibility to traditional products while helping preserve the region’s crafts and skills.
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