SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for 449 new houses in Kathua and Samba districts of jammu for families affected by recent natural disasters, in a major rehabilitation initiative by the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
Of these, 344 fully damaged homes in Kathua will be rebuilt at a cost of Rs 34 crore, while 105 houses in Samba will be reconstructed for Rs 10.50 crore. The project, funded by the High-range Rural Development Society (HRDS India), involves the construction of three-bedroom pre-fabricated homes equipped with modern amenities.
Praising HRDS India’s humanitarian role, Sinha said the initiative underscored the administration’s commitment to inclusive development and urged officials to ensure no eligible family was excluded. In its first phase, the programme will deliver 1,500 climate-resilient Smart Houses with boundary walls, cowsheds, and modern facilities, with completion targeted within six months. HRDS India will also offer 15 years of free life insurance, annual health check-ups, and five years of maintenance support.
Highlighting extensive progress in Kathua, Samba, and across JK post-2019, Sinha cited improvements in infrastructure, education, health, and employment under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He also thanked government agencies, security forces, emergency responders, and civil society for their efforts during recent calamities, noting that Rs 8.22 crore in Kathua and Rs 1.38 crore in Samba had already been distributed as relief.
During the visit, the Lieutenant Governor also inaugurated a modern Indoor Sports Stadium in Kathua, developed with corporate partners, along with new outdoor basketball and volleyball courts, in the presence of senior officials and local representatives.
