Youth urge government to fast-track land allotment in industrial estate at Trenz Shopian
Shopian: In a fervent appeal to the administration, educated yet unemployed youth in Shopian have called on the government to expedite the process of land allotment in the Industrial Estate at Trenz and other industrial zones across the district.
The demand is rooted in a growing aspiration among local youth to establish their own business ventures and contribute to the region’s economic revival.
Owais Ahmad, a social activist from Shopian said that timely land allocation is crucial to attracting investment, generating employment, and transforming Shopian into a vibrant industrial and economic hub.
He emphasized that fast-tracking the process would not only reduce the burden of unemployment but also help channel the talent and potential of young entrepreneurs.
“We have completed our degrees in business and technical fields, but we are still unemployed. Many of us want to set up small manufacturing and processing units, especially in horticulture and packaging sectors. But the delay in land allotment is blocking our future,” said Irfan Ahmad, a 28-year-old MBA graduate from Zainapora.
Another aspiring entrepreneur, Sameena Jan, who holds a diploma in food technology, said, “I have a complete business plan ready for a dried fruit processing unit that can create jobs for at least 15 people initially. All I need is land. We urge the authorities to give priority to locals like us who are serious about building businesses.”
The Industrial Estate Trenz, part of a broader initiative to industrialize Shopian, holds immense potential due to its strategic location and proximity to the region’s apple-producing belt. However, delays in land allocation and other hurdles have frustrated many who are eager to invest in the area.
“The government keeps talking about youth empowerment, but on the ground, we need concrete steps. Fast-tracking land allotment would show real commitment to our future,” added Hilal Wani, a mechanical engineering graduate looking to start an agri-machinery unit.
He said that with proper infrastructure and timely support, Shopian could emerge as a key industrial zone in south Kashmir.
The youth-driven call for fast-track land allocation is seen as a step towards unlocking the district’s untapped potential.
The youth have urged the Department of Industries and Commerce and the District Administration to take swift action, streamline the allotment process, and create a single-window clearance system to avoid red tape.
