The Union government has sanctioned the construction of 1,440 bunkers for the districts on Jammu border, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was informed today.
The bunkers will help the residents protect themselves from Pakistani firing and shelling as ceasefire violations have become routine on the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC).
In a written reply to a legislator's question, the Assembly was informed that the Union government has issued an order in this regard—No. 12013/7/2014-k—on December 19 and 21 giving sanction for construction of 1,440 bunkers for Rs 415.73 crore.
The Union Home Ministry has directed the state government that priority should be given to bunkers which are nearest to the Border Observation Posts (BOPs). It has also asked the state government to specify the building norms for all areas up to 5km from the border.
Every bunker will be within 3km from the border and the first line of sight from the IB and LoC. The priority, however, will be given to those which are nearest to the border—0 to 1km—followed by 2-1km and 3-2km.
The Centre has asked the state government for a detailed list regarding the location of community and individual bunkers and whether they are meeting the specified conditions.
The project will be funded on the reimbursement basis and will be executed by CPWD and NBCC.
The construction of bunkers was approved by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh during his four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir between September 9 and 12.
Singh had approved the construction of the bunkers in five border districts of Jammu region including Jammu, Samba, Kathua (all along the International Border), Rajouri and Poonch districts along the LoC.
Residents in the border areas have been demanding bunkers to save themselves from Pakistani firing and shelling. Many civilians and cattle have been killed, forcing the villagers to migrate.
