Proposal to set up over 20,000 bunkers along border sent to Centre: J&K government

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir government has submitted a proposal to the Central government for setting up of over 20,000 bunkers at a cost of over Rs 1,000 crores at 448 border areas in the state.

"The revised proposal for construction of 20,125 community bunkers at an estimated cost of Rs 1006.25 crores in 448 identified border villages in the state has been sent to the Government of India," Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said in a written reply to the question of BJP member Sham Lal Choudhary in J&K Assembly today.

The proposal will cover a population of 4,02,455 close to the border areas in districts of Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch, he said, adding the proposal has been sent to Government of India on February 23, 2015 for consideration.

The approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI, is awaited, the Chief Minister said.

Earlier, the Divisional Commissioner Jammu has submitted a proposal for construction of bunkers in identified villages of border districts in Jammu province to the Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI, but GoI called for revised proposals on the issue, he said.