Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government has sanctioned Rs 82.45 crore for major repair and renovation of more than 200 building blocks, around 5,000 flats, community halls and other infrastructure across migrant camps in Jammu.
The decision was reviewed at a meeting chaired by Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants) Arvind Karwani, where infrastructure, essential services and ongoing as well as proposed developmental works for the current financial year were discussed.
Officials of the Public Works Department (Roads and Buildings) informed the meeting that repair and renovation works would commence shortly, with the tendering process in its final stages.
However, members of the displaced Kashmiri community and activists have questioned whether the sanctioned amount would be sufficient to address the long-standing deterioration of infrastructure in the camps. Some have described the proposed repairs as an attempt to “cure cancer with a bandage”, arguing that structural concerns should be addressed before cosmetic renovation works.
Nearly 7,000 displaced families reside across various migrant camps and townships in Jammu, including Jagti, Muthi, Purkhoo, Nagrota, Buta Nagar and Mishriwala.
The meeting also discussed a project being formulated by the PWD for the development of internal roads and lanes, parks and other infrastructure, besides the face-lifting of migrant schools, health dispensaries and the Jagti Sub-District Hospital.
Karwani directed officials to ensure that works are prioritised in consultation with camp residents and also stressed the need for structural audits of the buildings.
Reviewing basic amenities, particularly drinking water and power supply, Karwani directed the Jal Shakti Department to take measures to ensure uninterrupted water supply and adequate tanker deployment to supplement supplies wherever required.
Officials informed the meeting that both short- and long-term measures were being undertaken to address water shortages. Karwani also emphasised frequent quality testing of drinking water to ensure its safety.
Meanwhile, sewage treatment plants worth Rs 11.5 crore have been finalised for the migrant camps at Nagrota, Muthi-Buta Nagar and Purkhoo, with work scheduled to begin shortly.
The meeting also reviewed the extension of social sector schemes to eligible migrant beneficiaries.
Officials said nearly 2,600 families have availed benefits of various social sector schemes following the digitisation and integration of migrant ration cards into the national database.
It was decided to conduct an extensive outreach campaign from the second week of September at different locations in Jammu to create awareness about welfare, self-employment and skill-development schemes and assist beneficiaries in filing applications.
Officers were also directed to undertake a door-to-door campaign to identify eligible beneficiaries and assist them with documentation and online submission of applications.
Karwani further directed senior officers to conduct weekly visits to the migrant camps assigned to them under the duty roster and regularly review developmental works and address grievances of camp residents, including issues concerning immovable properties in the Kashmir Valley.
