In a major boost to industrial growth in Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday inaugurated a Rs 200-crore alkaline battery manufacturing unit of Eveready Industries India Ltd at Samba, significantly strengthening domestic production capacity and employment potential.
The new manufacturing plant boasts a robust annual peak production capacity of approximately 360 million alkaline batteries with an annual installed capacity of 456 million. Marking a significant scale-up in the industry’s production capabilities, Eveready’s Jammu facility will give an impetus to India’s domestic manufacturing while catering to the country’s growing demand for high-performance power solutions.
The plant is expected to provide direct and indirect employment to about 500 people.
Sinha said that the inauguration of Eveready’s plant, along with the changed atmosphere in the Union Territory, reflects the sustained efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under whose leadership a new destiny has been written for Jammu Kashmir. His vision has turned the dream of a prosperous Jammu Kashmir into reality.
He observed that across Samba, Kathua, Jammu and many parts of Kashmir, the industrial revolution we are witnessing today is a living symbol of a new era for Jammu Kashmir. He said in the past 5 years, the scale of industrial development has moved beyond mere economic figures and become the most powerful medium of transformation across Union Territory.
The Lieutenant Governor shared significant figures to highlight industrial transformation of Jammu Kashmir after the New Industrial Policy was launched in 2021. He said in the financial year 2025-26 alone, Jammu Kashmir attracted investment of Rs. 5,824 crore—more than 13 times the average investment recorded before 2021. In FY 2022-23 investment was Rs. 2,153 crore, in FY 2023-24 Rs. 3,389 crore, and in FY 2024-25 Rs. 4,145 crore. In addition, half the preliminary work has already been completed on 312 units worth Rs. 7,864 crore, with production expected to begin in FY 2026-27.
Jammu Kashmir has also seen, for the first time, the establishment of several units with investments exceeding Rs. 500 crore, including Chiripal Polyfilms (Rs. 1,215 crore), Kandhari Beverages (Rs. 830 crore), and Aegios (Rs. 666 crore). Three more units are expected to start production in FY 2026-27.
The Lieutenant Governor said through today’s inauguration, we have also sent a message to the whole world that while our neighbouring country continues to run factories of terrorism, India is building factories of progress and success.
“Today we have told the world that while our neighbour’s factories churn out terrorists, India’s factories are engaged in nation building. We are also conveying that the economic potential, industrial energy and inclusive development of Jammu Kashmir are advancing with a new sense of pride,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Mohit Burman, Non-Executive Director, Eveready Industries India Limited said that the state-of-the-art greenfield facility will generate around 500 direct and indirect employment opportunities at full scale in the region. He said the company also aims to contribute to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.