SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday acknowledged recurring complaints over maintenance, civic amenities and infrastructure deficiencies in migrant camps, even as it said a comprehensive Rs 84.90 crore repair and renovation plan has been prepared to improve living conditions.
The disclosure came in response to a starred Assembly question raised by Devyani Rana.
According to the government, Kashmiri migrants are currently residing in six camps in Jammu division—Mini Township Jagti (comprising Jagti-A, Jagti-B and Jagti-C), TRT Nagrota, Muthi and Purkhoo. In addition, prefabricated transit accommodations have been established in Kashmir division at Vessu (Kulgam), Hawal (Pulwama), Natnusa (Kupwara) and Veerwan (Baramulla) for migrants appointed under the Prime Minister’s package.
The government said that basic facilities including housing, drinking water, electricity, sanitation, healthcare, education, ration and security are being provided across these camps and accommodations. Housing has been arranged in the form of residential quarters, with water supplied through piped systems supplemented by borewells, and electricity maintained by the Power Development Department.
However, it admitted that complaints are received periodically from residents. Over the past year, these have primarily related to repair and renovation of residential units, inadequate sanitation and sewerage systems, damaged infrastructure, irregular water supply—especially during heavy rains—electrical faults, leakages, waterproofing issues and general wear and tear of buildings and utilities.
The government said such complaints are addressed through a structured mechanism involving concerned departments, including ongoing maintenance contracts, day-to-day repairs, restoration of water supply, and rectification of electrical and sewerage faults.
To address long-term issues, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for comprehensive repair and renovation of migrant camps in Jammu has been prepared at an estimated cost of Rs 84.90 crore, of which Rs 82.45 crore has been technically vetted. The proposal has been submitted to the Finance Department for concurrence.
The Finance Department has advised preparation of a complete inventory of assets created under the Prime Minister’s Development Package and recommended that at least 50 percent of the vetted cost be provisioned under the CAPEX Budget 2026–27, along with adequate annual maintenance allocations. The process for transferring maintenance responsibilities to the Public Works (R and B) Department has also been initiated.
The government further said similar action has been initiated for transit accommodations in Kashmir division, including planning for phased upgradation of infrastructure.
On institutional arrangements, multiple departments have been assigned responsibilities for upkeep and service delivery in migrant camps. The Public Works (R and B), Jal Shakti and Power Development Departments are responsible for core infrastructure, while other departments—including Housing and Urban Development, Youth Services and Sports, Floriculture, Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED), Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA), and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj—have been tasked with sanitation, recreation, landscaping, sewerage, renewable energy and rural infrastructure, respectively.
The government said no major instance warranting disciplinary action has been reported so far, but departments have been instructed to ensure accountability and timely response to grievances.
It added that a time-bound plan has been formulated to improve living conditions in migrant camps. While short-term measures focus on routine maintenance and immediate grievance redressal, long-term interventions include large-scale infrastructure upgrades through DPR-based works and enhanced budgetary provisioning.
