Kathua, Jammu, 9th December 2025: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha on Tuesday visited Kathua and Samba, laying the foundation stone for the construction of 449 new homes for families affected by recent natural disasters in the districts.
In Kathua, 344 completely destroyed houses will be rebuilt at a cost of Rs. 34 crore, while Samba will see reconstruction of 105 damaged homes at Rs. 10.50 crore. The project is being financed by the NGO High-range Rural Development Society (HRDS India), which will also provide modern amenities to the homeowners.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor commended HRDS India for its contribution, highlighting the collaboration between the NGO and the UT administration to ensure secure and dignified housing. “Unity is strength. Collective action can surmount challenges that appear unconquerable, and we witnessed this spirit during the August crisis. Welfare of the people of J&K is our top priority,” he said.
The initiative will construct 1,500 three-bedroom pre-fabricated “Smart Houses” in the first phase. These technologically advanced homes are designed for resilience against future climate challenges and will include boundary walls, cowsheds, and modern facilities. Construction is expected to be completed within six months.
HRDS India will provide free life insurance for 15 years, annual health check-ups for all family members, and maintain the houses for five years.
The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the broader development agenda in Kathua and Samba, emphasizing improvements in infrastructure, education, health, employment, and social justice under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He urged citizens and stakeholders to ensure that development reaches every corner of the community.
As part of his visit, LG Sinha inaugurated a state-of-the-art Indoor Sports Stadium in Kathua, aimed at boosting youth engagement alongside newly constructed outdoor basketball and volleyball courts, developed in partnership with corporate entities.
Financial assistance totaling Rs. 8.22 crore in Kathua and Rs. 1.38 crore in Samba has already been disbursed to affected families.
Prominent attendees at the foundation-laying ceremony included Swami Atma Nambi (President, HRDS India), Col. Mahan Singh (Retd.), Shri Keshav Dutt Sharma, Shri Atal Dulloo, Shri Nalin Prabhat, Shri Ramesh Kumar, Shri Shiv Kumar Sharma, Ms Ayushi Sudan, Shri Rajesh Sharma, members of legislative assemblies, senior police and civil officials, and local citizens.
