SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday visited Uran Bowa village in Baramulla and reviewed ongoing development works under the Vibrant Villages Programme, asserting that border areas are being fully integrated into the national mainstream of development.
Addressing a public gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, border villages have been brought closer to administrative and developmental centres, stressing the government’s commitment to inclusive growth in remote regions.
He said that under the Vibrant Villages Programme, key infrastructure priorities include all-weather road connectivity, electrification, and improved telecom and digital services. He added that all 18 villages covered under the programme in the region are now connected by all-weather roads, while efforts are underway to link all 83 border villages of Baramulla with major economic centres.
The Lieutenant Governor noted that telecom coverage in these strategically important villages has reached 100 per cent 4G and 5G connectivity, compared to less than 40 per cent before 2019, calling it a significant step towards digital inclusion.
He said the administration is focusing on three core areas—improving literacy levels, boosting economic growth, and generating livelihood opportunities for youth in border areas. He added that initiatives in education, vocational training, agriculture, and border tourism are helping to create new avenues of employment.
During the visit, the Lieutenant Governor inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 94 crore across various sectors under the Vibrant Villages Programme-II.
He also distributed appointment orders to Special Police Officers, tablets to students, and sanction letters to beneficiaries under government schemes including HADP and Mission Yuva. In addition, he unveiled the jersey and trophy for the upcoming SPANDAN League 2026, North Kashmir Football Championship, to be organised by the Border Security Force.
Senior civil and police officials, including Member Legislative Assembly from Uri Sajjad Shafi, DGP Nalin Prabhat, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, and other officers, were present on the occasion.
