Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday visited the districts of Kathua and Samba, where he laid the foundation stone for the construction of 449 new houses for families whose homes were destroyed during recent natural calamities.
According to officials, 344 houses completely damaged in Kathua will be rebuilt at a cost of ₹34 crore, while 105 houses affected by flash floods in Samba will be reconstructed at a cost of ₹10.50 crore.
NGO to Finance Modern Three-Bedroom Homes
The construction of the three-bedroom pre-fabricated “Smart Houses” will be financed by the NGO High-range Rural Development Society (HRDS India), which will also ensure that homeowners receive modern facilities and amenities.
Addressing the gathering, the LG praised HRDS India for its humanitarian support, saying:
“Unity is strength. Collective action can surmount challenges which appear unconquerable. Welfare of the people of J&K is our top priority and we are committed to fulfilling their aspirations.”
First Phase: 1,500 Climate-Resilient Smart Homes
The first phase of the initiative includes the construction of 1,500 modern, climate-resilient houses, equipped with:
- Three bedrooms
- Boundary walls
- Cowsheds
- Technologically advanced, disaster-resistant designs
All homes are expected to be completed within six months of the foundation-laying.
HRDS India will also provide:
- Free life insurance for 15 years
- Annual free health check-ups for all family members
- Maintenance of the houses for five years
The LG directed district officials to ensure no eligible beneficiary is left out.
Assistance Distributed; New Indoor Stadium Inaugurated
Financial assistance of ₹8.22 crore in Kathua and ₹1.38 crore in Samba was disbursed to affected families.
During his tour of Kathua, Sinha also inaugurated a state-of-the-art Indoor Sports Stadium, developed through a partnership between the district administration and corporate houses. The complex includes outdoor basketball and volleyball courts for enhanced youth engagement.
“Post-2019 Development Has Transformed Kathua and Samba”
Sinha highlighted the rapid development in both districts, stating that major improvements have been made across infrastructure, education, healthcare, employment, and social justice sectors.
He appealed to citizens and stakeholders to ensure the momentum of development continues, adding that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, “a new history of inclusive growth is being scripted in J&K.”
Dignitaries Present
The ceremony was attended by:
- Swami Atma Nambi, President, HRDS India
- Col Mahan Singh (Retd), Chairman, DDC Kathua
- Keshav Dutt Sharma, Chairman, DDC Samba
- Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary
- Nalin Prabhat, DGP
- Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu
- Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range
- Ayushi Sudan, DC Samba
- Rajesh Sharma, DC Kathua
- Senior police and civil officers, public representatives, and citizens
