SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday laid the foundation stone for 350 new houses to be built for families affected by recent natural calamities and unprovoked Pakistani shelling during Operation Sindoor in Jammu district.
Officials said the houses, costing Rs 35 crore, will be constructed free of cost with full financial support from the High-range Rural Development Society (HRDS India). The three-bedroom pre-fabricated Smart Houses are designed to be modern, resilient and technologically advanced, and will also include cowsheds. Construction is expected to be completed within six months.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor thanked HRDS India for funding the project, noting that not a single rupee from the government exchequer will be spent. He said HRDS India has also announced a welfare package for beneficiaries that includes free life insurance for all family members for 15 years, annual health check-ups, and five years of house maintenance.
Reiterating his commitment to uplift poor and vulnerable communities, the LG said that in the past five years, lakhs of people have benefitted from government schemes, and infrastructure in backward regions has been significantly upgraded. He described the development trajectory of Jammu as “unprecedented” despite challenges and emphasised efforts to transform the city into an inclusive and modern urban centre.
Sinha said Jammu is witnessing rapid economic growth and urban transformation, with large-scale project completion strengthening mobility, civic facilities and public infrastructure. He commended district administration, police, army, CAPFs, disaster response teams, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, and volunteers for their coordinated rescue and relief efforts following the recent calamities.
Officials said 4,309 beneficiaries in Jammu district have received assistance, with Rs 8.22 crore disbursed as compensation. The next of kin of a civilian killed during unprovoked Pakistani firing in Operation Sindoor have received ex-gratia relief and a government job.
The LG also met affected families, including 23 households displaced by landslides in Rah Salyote village who have been provided food and temporary accommodation for three months.
The ceremony was attended by HRDS India President Swami Atma Nambi, DDC Chairman Bharat Bhushan, legislators, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat, senior civil and police officers, and members of the public.
