District Administration, Rajouri, has completed a pilot project for construction of 100 family-type bunkers along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan for safety of people in wake of frequent ceasefire violations.The Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary today said that more than 4500 people migrated to relief camps established by authorities in Nowshera town in May 2017 due to heavy shelling and widespread damages due to ceasefire violation which left more than 170 houses damaged and 8 civilians killed. He ssaid the district administration started a pilot project to construct 100 family-type bunkers for safety of civilians in September 2017.He said community type bunkers were later started near schools and police posts.The Deputy Commissioner, said that these bunkers were started with an innovative model of convergence with MGNREGA and community participation in execution of projects. He said that the project cost for one unit was pegged at Rs 2.40 Lakh out of which Rs 90,000 was dovetailed from MGNREGA while Rs 1.50 Lakh was provided under Capex budget. The Chief Secretary J&K frequently reviewed the progress and extended prompt financial support to the project after his visit to Nowshera later last year, said the Deputy Commissioner.Dr Shahid Iqbal informed that a total of 102 family type bunkers have been completed in various villages along the Line of Control. “It was mammoth task completed in a very short span of time with active cooperation of public” said the Deputy Commissioner, and added that the project was designed as community driven for asset-ownership. He said every family contributed its share in addition to the project cost. He said the bunkers have also been provided one toilet unit under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
The Deputy Commissioner said that each bunker has a capacity to accommodate 10 person for long-term while 12 to 16 persons for short term shelter in wake of ceasefire violation. He said that the project will help to accommodate more than 1000 to1200 persons during emergent situation. The technical design of the bunker withstands the kind of weaponry frequently used in such ceasefire violations, Deputy Commissioner said.Dr. Shahid said that the LoC runs through 120 KM long stretch in the district across 72 villages in 6 tehsils while nearly 22 villages are worst hit. He said that the district administration have further endeavoured to construct bunkers in Manjakote, Panjgrain, Doongi where recently ceasefire violations were reported.The Deputy Commissioner said that these bunkers have been constructed in several villages of Nowshera sub-division which include Jhangar, Kalsian, Danaka, Sarya, Laroka, Sair, Makdi, Namb and Kadali. He said project has been executed through the Engineering wing of Rural Development Department with BDO Surinder Singh as Nodal Officer. He said a widespread outreach programme was conducted last year for effective community participation which showed successful result in planning and implementation of the project.Dr. Shahid said that in view of the success of the pilot project more such bunkers to be constructed as per sanction of MHA guidelines which will provide greater safety for the border inhabitants. He said this will include more than 5000 family-type bunkers and 370 community bunkers. He said the people of border villages celebrated the completion of project meanwhile based on such demand from Manjakote and Doongi the second phase of project is being started for covering all families.