LG Sinha launches Rs 52-Cr housing projects for 530 disaster-hit Ramban, Udhampur families

Ramban, Nov 29: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday launched Rs 52 crore housing projects for the disaster-affected families in Ramban and Udhampur.

LG Sinha visited Ramban and addressed a public gathering at the District Administrative Complex, where he laid the joint e-foundation stone for major rehabilitation projects aimed at rehabilitating families affected by floods and landslides in April and August 2025.

Under the initiative, 189 houses will be constructed with the support of the High Range Rural Development Society (HRDS), an NGO.

The LG announced that 3 BHK prefabricated houses would be completed within six months at an estimated project cost of Rs 18 crore.

He said that each house would cost Rs 9.82 lakh and will include essential facilities like internet connectivity, cattle sheds, and medical provisions.

Upon completion, HRDS would also provide life insurance to all the beneficiaries for 15 years as soon as they shift into these new houses.

These 189 houses are among the total 1250 houses being constructed by the HRDS in Jammu province.

LG Sinha said 250 houses damaged due to cross-Line of Control (LoC) shelling were also being built in Kashmir.

He said that many houses were completely destroyed during the April and August floods this year.

With HRDS-India’s support, the new houses would be built using specialised prefabrication techniques to ensure they are stronger, safer, and more resilient.

The LG said that the new homes would help restore stability to flood-affected families and contribute to the region’s overall development.

“It is our commitment to eliminate social imbalances and disparities, ensure social and economic justice, and secure the future of J&K,” he said.

LG Sinha appreciated the HRDS for its noble initiative.

He said he had earlier requested the HRDS to reconstruct damaged houses across J&K during ‘Operation Sindoor’, and in the aftermath of April and August natural calamities, the HRDS had agreed to rebuild damaged houses.

The LG said their effort was to ensure that the benefits of development reach the last mile.

“Infrastructure projects were completed at a faster speed, and schemes were implemented to integrate all sections of society into the mainstream of development,” he said.

LG Sinha said that the Government of India had allocated Rs 355 crore to Ramban under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-4).

He said that this substantial allocation was earmarked for the completion of critical road projects to connect the unconnected habitations.

“Thirteen Next of Kin (NoKs) of terror victims in Ramban were provided government jobs,” the LG said.

He said that the remaining eligible families would receive their appointment letters soon.

LG Sinha thanked all the emergency respondents, including the local volunteers, district administration, Police, Army, SDRF, NDRF, NHAI, and other stakeholders, for saving precious lives and rescuing the affected people by taking them to safer places during natural calamities.

He paid homage to those who lost their lives due to natural disasters.

Administrator, HRDS India, Sarita P Menon; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar; DIG, Doda-Kishtwar-Rajouri (DKR) Range, Shridhar Patil; DC Ramban, Muhammad Alyas Khan; SSP Ramban, Arun Gupta and SSP Traffic, National Highway, Ramban, Raja Adil Hamid were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, in Udhampur, LG Sinha announced that 341 fully damaged homes in the district would be constructed at a cost of Rs 34 crore.

The construction cost of these new three-bedroom prefabricated Smart Homes for the affected families will be borne by the HRDS, India.

He said that the Government of India has allocated Rs 328.51 crore to Udhampur under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-4).

Chairman, District Development Council (DDC), Udhampur, Lal Chand and Deputy Commissioner (DC) Udhampur, Saloni Rai were also present on the occasion.