The PM Ekta (Unity) Malls initiative is set to open new commercial avenues for artisans, self-help groups, and entrepreneurs across Jammu and Kashmir, offering a dedicated physical marketplace where locally made and traditional products can reach tourists, buyers, and customers from across India. The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, recently approved the construction of two such malls — one each in Jammu and Srinagar — at a combined estimated cost of ₹255 crore.

What the Malls Will Offer

The proposed malls are designed to serve as centralised marketplaces for goods bearing Geographical Indication (GI) tags, products under the 'One District One Product' (ODOP) scheme, and a broad range of traditional handicrafts and handloom items. By consolidating these offerings under one roof, the initiative aims to give local producers direct access to a consumer base that currently remains difficult to reach through informal or fragmented retail channels.

Officials from the District Industries Centre (DIC) and the Handicrafts Department have described the project as a significant opportunity to strengthen local enterprises, expand market access, and support the artisan community across the Union Territory.

Artisans Welcome the Initiative

In Udhampur, where the announcement has been received warmly, local artisans say the malls address a long-standing gap — the absence of a credible, permanent physical space to display and sell their work.

Fabric artist Anamika Sharma said, 'Our government has brought in the concept of the Unity Mall, which is going to open in both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions. As an artist, I am really happy that we will get a space in the future where I can display my handicraft products. As an artist, I have currently started through online platforms, but obviously, I want a physical space in the future to display my products, where people can enter, talk to me, and I can get on-ground feedback while keeping our tradition alive.'

Artisan Nazreen Salaria echoed the sentiment, describing the mall as 'a very important resource' for those engaged in traditional crafts. 'The Unity Mall being constructed will give us a platform where, until today, we didn't have any such platform to sell our products. So, this will benefit us, and it will also benefit customers, as we will be able to deal directly with customers through this,' Salaria said.

Government and Industry Perspective

Udhampur DIC General Manager Kishore Singh Katoch said the mall would directly benefit artisans and small business owners who have taken loans to establish enterprises but currently lack adequate avenues to reach customers. 'As the Unity Mall is opening here in Jammu, it will boost our economy, trade, tourism, and our MSMEs. The artisans or those who have taken loans to start their small businesses will be able to comfortably sell and display their products there and increase their sales,' Katoch said.

Handicrafts Service Centre Assistant Director Ambika Sambyal called the initiative 'decision-making and vision-oriented,' adding that it would create a credible marketing platform for handloom and handicraft artisans from across Jammu and Kashmir. 'Having a centralised platform like this is a great achievement and good news for everyone,' she said.

Broader Impact on Tourism and Entrepreneurship

Beyond direct sales, the malls are expected to reinforce Jammu and Kashmir's tourism economy by giving visitors a single, curated destination for authentic local products. For self-help groups and first-generation entrepreneurs, the initiative could reduce dependence on intermediaries and improve profit margins.

For artisans in Udhampur and other parts of the Union Territory, the project is being viewed as a rare convergence of cultural preservation and economic opportunity — a chance to keep traditional skills alive while connecting them with a far larger consumer base. Construction timelines and operational details are yet to be officially announced.