KD NEWS SERVICE
JAMMU, Nov 29: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the construction of new homes for families whose houses were destroyed during recent natural calamities in the Ramban and Udhampur districts. The initiative, supported entirely by the High-range Rural Development Society (HRDS India), marks one of the most comprehensive rehabilitation efforts undertaken in the Union Territory in recent years.
Under this project, 189 fully damaged homes in Ramban will be rebuilt at a cost of ₹18 crore, while 341 homes in Udhampur will be reconstructed at a cost of ₹34 crore. These new three-bedroom prefabricated Smart Homes will be constructed free of cost for the beneficiaries, ensuring complete financial relief for families struggling to rebuild their lives. The Lieutenant Governor, while addressing the gathering, expressed deep gratitude to HRDS India for what he described as a noble and timely intervention aimed at securing the future of the flood-affected families. He directed the district administrations to ensure that all genuine beneficiaries are identified and included without delay, reaffirming his personal commitment to guaranteeing that no affected family is left without a roof over their heads.
The project marks the beginning of a larger rehabilitation plan under which 1,500 homes will be built across Jammu and Kashmir for families affected not only by natural calamities but also by unprovoked Pakistani shelling during Operation Sindoor. The construction of these homes is scheduled for completion within six months, with advanced prefabricated techniques being used to create structures that are not only comfortable but also more resilient in the face of climatic and geographical challenges.
HRDS India is also offering a long-term support framework for the beneficiaries. This includes free life insurance for all family members for 15 years, annual health checkups, and maintenance of the new homes for five years. Each home will also be equipped with essential facilities such as cowsheds, making the initiative more holistic and livelihood-oriented. Officials noted that the vast scale of coverage for calamity-hit families—and those affected by conflict—makes this initiative historic for J&K.
The Lieutenant Governor commended the collective efforts of the district administration, police, Army, Central Armed Police Forces, disaster response teams, volunteers, civil society members, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, and J&K Bank for their crucial roles in rescue and relief operations. He said the administration is determined, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to eliminate social disparities and ensure economic and social justice for the people of the Union Territory.
Reflecting on the progress made since 2019, LG Sinha said that the administration has worked with renewed energy to shape a new Jammu and Kashmir that balances ancient cultural heritage with modern infrastructure. He noted that the foundation laid over the past five years has accelerated the region’s development agenda, ensuring that the benefits of growth reach even the most remote communities. From improving infrastructure to creating opportunities for the poor, tribals, farmers, women and youth, the administration, he said, has focused on inclusive growth.
The Lieutenant Governor also spoke about the rapid development witnessed in Ramban and Udhampur in recent years. He highlighted the faster execution of infrastructure projects and the implementation of schemes that have brought previously marginalized communities into the mainstream. He pointed out that the Government of India has sanctioned ₹355 crore for Ramban and ₹328.51 crore for Udhampur under PMGSY-4 to connect unserved habitations with all-weather roads.
In a significant relief measure, the LG informed that 13 Next of Kins of terror victims in Ramban have already been provided government jobs, and remaining eligible families will soon receive their appointments. The foundation stone-laying ceremony witnessed the presence of senior officials, including HRDS India Administrator Ms. Saritha P. Menon, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, DIG Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range Shridhar Patil, Deputy Commissioners Saloni Rai and Mohammad Alyas Khan, along with police officials, civil administration members, public representatives and residents from across the two districts.
As construction begins, the initiative is widely seen as a transformative step toward rebuilding lives and restoring stability to calamity-hit communities, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to creating a resilient and equitable future for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
