4000 houses, 3237 km roads, 70 bridges damaged in floods
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 29: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today called upon the officials to launch crackdown on encroachments along the water bodies even as he disclosed that 4000 houses, 3237 kilometer roads and 70 bridges were badly damaged in flashfloods, landslides and rains last month besides huge damage has been caused to power, water, health, schools and other Government infrastructure in the UT.
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Addressing ‘Swachhata Vijayotsav’ organized by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj under ‘Sewa Parv’ here, Sinha called upon the officials to launch crackdown on encroachments along the water bodies. He also urged the people to report encroachments on natural resources in their respective areas to the authorities.
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Following flash floods in the water bodies, number of houses and structures raised on their banks were washed away or were badly damaged. Encroachments along the banks of water bodies also obstructed flow of rainy water causing damage in the peripheries.
“In the natural calamity which was first of its kind in the Jammu region, 4000 houses, 3237 kilometer roads and 70 bridges were very badly damaged,” the Lieutenant Governor said, adding that power, water, health and education infrastructure too suffered huge loss besides many Government buildings were damaged.
The encroachments, he said, may provide temporary relief to some people but in the process, “we end up losing our own people” during flood-like situations. He added that the people must take responsibility to stop rampant encroachments on natural resources and ecologically fragile places.
“For this, we must build an environment and a movement,” Sinha said.
Asserting that when the administration tries to remove encroachments, many people take to the streets, the Lieutenant Governor said the devastation we have witnessed gives us an opportunity for self-reflection – we must think about how to create a safe and sustainable system.”
Sinha said a private body from Kerala has assured construction of 1500 houses for the flood-affected people.
“Every house will have three rooms and will be constructed at the cost of Rs 9 lakh. The body is expected to start its work in October,” he said.
Sinha said Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), the Government of India and Jammu and Kashmir administration are standing with the people hit by floods and are making honest and sincere efforts for their rehabilitation. People should also come forward for helping those who are in need, he added.
He impressed upon the people of J-K to look into two major issues confronting the UT and their responsibilities towards them. “The first responsibility is to restore the lives of those whose lives have been disrupted due to floods and human-induced causes. At the same time, people must be made to fully understand the reality of climate change, as the scale of damage is continuously increasing. This message must be conveyed at the rural and Panchayat levels,” he said.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the families who have suffered losses. I want to tell them that the Home Minister of India himself visited and assessed the situation with his own eyes.
“A Central team also toured Jammu and Kashmir and, together with local authorities, prepared a damage assessment. I am fully confident that the Central Government will extend complete support to Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The LG noted that the Government of India has approved the construction of more than 5,000 houses under the Rural Development Department. He reaffirmed his commitment to bridging the gap between rural and urban J-K and ensuring prosperity.
He said the truest evidence of the Central Government’s commitment to J-K can be seen in its performance over the last five-six years.
The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the significance of cleanliness drives to promote public health and well-being, and to foster community participation for happier and healthier villages.
“Initiatives under education, social welfare, rural development, urban development and healthcare are integral to building a just and inclusive society. We must push through challenges to achieve the goals of a prosperous rural J-K,” he said.
Sinha directed a dedicated environmental protection awareness campaign for rural J-K. “‘SewaParv’ should not be viewed in isolation. It must be integrated into life. We must work towards creating a unified national identity to ensure the welfare and prosperity of all,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
On the occasion, Sinha laid cornerstones for GOBARdhan Biogas Plants and Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs) under SBM (G) at various locations.
The Lieutenant Governor interacted with Safai Mitras and felicitated the Swachhagrahis. He also released a documentary on Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2025, highlighting Best Sanitation Practices.
Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member of Parliament; Bharat Bushan, DDC Chairman Jammu; Yudhvir Sethi, Vikram Randhawa, Arvind Gupta, Members of Legislative Assembly; Mohammad Aijaz, Secretary, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj; Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range; Dr Rakesh Minhas, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; Anoo Malhotra, Director General Rural Sanitation; senior officials, Swachhagrahis, members of social organisations, and people from all walks of life were present.
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