LG Inaugurates 1,416 Transit Flats, Says Kashmir Incomplete Without Kashmiri Pandits.

TPI desk.

Srinagar, November 1: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday inaugurated 1,416 transit accommodation flats for employees appointed under the PM Package at Zewan in Srinagar, Kakan Maran in Budgam and Kulangam Bagh in Kupwara, describing the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandit families as essential to restoring Kashmir’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

Addressing the gathering at Zewan, Sinha said Kashmir’s literary consciousness, spiritual heritage and cultural splendour could not be imagined without the contribution of Kashmiri Pandits.

“Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits and it is deprived of a precious part of its soul,” the LG said, adding that the region’s natural, cultural and spiritual beauty would be complete only when Kashmiri Pandit families return to their homeland with dignity, security and confidence.

The newly inaugurated complexes include 936 flats at Zewan, 288 at Kulangam Bagh in Kupwara and 192 at Kakan Maran in Budgam. The Zewan complex, the largest under the project, has all its flats allotted.

The broader transit accommodation project envisages 6,000 flats across 342 blocks at 20 locations in 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley. Construction of more than 5,200 flats has been completed, while over 3,800 have already been allotted.

The Lieutenant Governor directed officials to expedite the construction of the remaining 700 flats under the PM Package programme and ensure quality amenities for employees residing in the government accommodation.

He also stressed the need for uninterrupted electricity and water supply, adequate security arrangements, effective waste management and prompt grievance redressal to ensure comfortable living conditions for the families.

Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department, Anil Kumar Singh assured that the remaining flats would be completed by December this year.

The LG acknowledged the contributions of engineers, labourers, government departments, district administrations, police and other agencies involved in completing the complexes. He also appreciated the services of PM Package employees working in the Valley.

Senior officials, including Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, IGP Kashmir Sujit Singh, Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Akshay Labroo and Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner Arvind Karwani, attended the inaugural ceremony along with other officials and PM Package employees.