More than 8,000 underground bunkers are proposed to be constructed in the border villages of Rajouri district for the civilians to duck the Pakistani shelling.
Jammu and Kashmir government is laying a massive network of state-of-the-art underground bunkers in the border villages as a life-saving measure for the civilians and defeat Pakistani designs of instilling fear and trigger migration of local populace.
More than 8,000 underground bunkers are proposed to be constructed in the border villages of Rajouri district for the civilians to duck the Pakistani shelling. This is in addition to 625 community bunkers planned to be constructed in the district.
"Work is under progress for 125 bunkers. Chief secretary has also approved 200 more bunkers under the convergence (scheme)", Dr Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary, deputy commissioner of Rajouri.
The district administration has proposed to construct 8,000 individual bunkers and 621 community bunkers in entire border district of Rajouri. More than 69 villages in five kilometre stretch of the Lone of Control (LOC) in Rajouri will be covered under this project.
"We have sent the proposal for the 8,000 individual bunkers and 621 community bunkers. Once the approval will come, the work will start," said Dr Chaudhary.
The highlight of the bunkers will be the double RCC slab which will be covered with five feet of sand so that the shells do not penetrate inside. The design and layout of bunkers has been made in such a manner that they will withstand the Pakistani shells.
Sources said an individual bunker is meant for the household and can accommodate eight to 10 people. Each community bunker will accommodate 30 to 40 people at the time of exigencies. Each individual bunker will cost the state government Rs 2.4 lakh while the community bunkers will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 8.5 lakh.
"Community bunkers will also be constructed at mixed locations like near hospitals, schools etc," said Dr Chaudhary.
More than 839 families comprised on 3361 persons had fled their homes and took shelter in relief camps after Pakistan shelled Sarya, Khamba, Anwas-Bhandar, Bhawani and Kanet villages in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district in May and June this year.
Jammu and Kashmir government has also proposed 1,030 kanals (20 kanals form one hectare) of land for establishing alternative shelters to meet exigencies including migration from border villages during Pakistani shelling.
"This land will be used for multiple purposes. For example if there is flood, landslides or border shelling we can use this land to accommodate affected people," said Dr Chaudhary.
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