J&K ceasefire violations: Bunkers, community halls to be constructed along IB to safeguard residents

In the wake of frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan across the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir, the authorities in the state have initiated construction of underground bunkers and community halls to facilitate the safety of residents along the border.

The officials of the Rajouri district in J&K will be constructing over 5,500 underground bunkers and 200 community halls as well as "border bhawans" to help the settlements along the border survive the brunt of Pakistani shelling and firing.

The Union Ministry and the state government have already approved the project which is expected to cost Rs 153.60 crore and is targetted to be completed in the current financial year.

"A total of 5,196 bunkers are being constructed in seven blocks along the 120 km long stretch of LoC. These include Sunderbani, Qila Drahal, Nowshera, Doongi, Rajouri, Panjgrain and Manajakote," an official spokesman said.

He also added that over 260 community bunkers and 160 community halls were also to be constructed in villages located 0-3 km distance from LOC.

The bhawans to be constructed will be designed to accommodate over 10,000 people.

The government had also announced the construction of 14,460 individual and community bunkers at a cost of Rs 415.73 crore for people living along the LoC and IB in Jammu region in December last year.

Over thousands of people across the International border in Jammu and Kashmir moved out of their homes in the last few days to escape heavy shelling by the Pakistan forces.

(With inputs from PTI)