1,227 Works and 8,804 Damaged Houses to Be Restored Across the Union Territory
Srinagar, August 25: The State Executive Committee (SEC) of the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRR&R), chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, on Tuesday approved a comprehensive package of disaster recovery and reconstruction interventions worth Rs 664.54 crore across Jammu and Kashmir.
The interventions will be undertaken under the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) assistance sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The approval covers 1,227 infrastructure works and the reconstruction of 8,804 fully and severely damaged houses across the Union Territory.
The third meeting of the SEC reviewed action plans submitted by various departments for restoring damaged public infrastructure, essential services and community assets, while also supporting livelihood recovery and strengthening disaster resilience.
Chairing the meeting, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo stressed that the sanctioned assistance should be utilised strategically to build a stronger and more disaster-resilient Jammu and Kashmir, rather than merely restoring damaged infrastructure to its pre-disaster condition.
He directed the concerned departments to ensure timely and optimum utilisation of funds, with emphasis on disaster preparedness, resilient infrastructure, livelihood restoration and improved capacity to respond to future disasters.
The Chief Secretary also called for close coordination among departments, adherence to prescribed timelines and strict compliance with quality standards to ensure that the benefits of the recovery programme reach affected people at the earliest.
During the meeting, Principal Secretary, DMRR&R, Chandraker Bharti, presented a comprehensive reconstruction and development roadmap before the SEC.
The approved interventions form part of the wider Rs 1,416-crore Departmental Plan for 2026-27, mapped against the overall approved assistance ceiling of Rs 1,534.58 crore under the PDNA framework.
Housing Recovery Gets Rs 188.35 Crore
Giving priority to affected families, the SEC has earmarked Rs 188.35 crore for housing recovery. The funds will be placed at the disposal of Deputy Commissioners for the reconstruction of 8,804 fully and severely damaged houses through a structured district-wise mechanism.
The initiative aims to provide affected families with safe and resilient homes and help them rebuild their lives with greater security and dignity.
Rs 29.28 Crore for Restoration of Schools
Under the social sector, Rs 29.28 crore has been allocated to the School Education Department for undertaking 175 restoration works.
The projects will focus on restoring educational infrastructure damaged by disasters and ensuring continuity of learning and access to safe school facilities for children in affected areas.
Major Investment in Water and Flood Protection
The Jal Shakti Department has been allocated Rs 118 crore for 21 high-impact water supply works aimed at restoring and strengthening critical water infrastructure.
Another Rs 196.45 crore has been sanctioned for the Irrigation & Flood Control Department to undertake 61 critical safety works aimed at strengthening flood protection and safeguarding vulnerable infrastructure and communities.
Tourism and Environment Also Get Major Allocations
The Tourism Department has been allocated Rs 32.63 crore for 75 works focused on restoring tourism assets and cultural heritage sites. The projects are expected to help revive local economic activity and tourism-linked livelihoods in affected areas.
Meanwhile, the Forest, Ecology & Environment Department has been allocated Rs 99.83 crore for 895 greening, conservation and ecological restoration works.
The initiative aims to improve ecological resilience in vulnerable areas while restoring degraded landscapes and environmental assets affected by disasters.
The approved projects will be implemented in accordance with the national Recovery & Reconstruction Guidelines and the directions and approval frameworks issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Disaster Management Authority.
The departments have also been directed to follow the “build back better” principle by incorporating disaster-resilient standards wherever applicable, ensuring that reconstructed infrastructure is better equipped to withstand future hazards.
The recovery package marks a significant step towards translating PDNA assistance into concrete projects on the ground, with the broader objective of restoring damaged infrastructure, rebuilding livelihoods and creating a safer, stronger and more disaster-resilient Jammu and Kashmir.
