Srinagar, Nov 1 (HS): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday inaugurated 1,416 newly constructed transit accommodation flats for employees appointed under the Prime Minister’s Package at three locations in the Kashmir Valley, saying Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits and that their return is essential to restoring the region’s historical heritage and human dignity.

Sinha inaugurated the Transit Residential Complex at Zewan in Srinagar and virtually inaugurated accommodation facilities at Kakan Maran in Budgam and Kulangam Bagh in Kupwara.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor said Kashmir’s literary consciousness, spiritual heritage and cultural splendour could not be imagined without Kashmiri Pandits.

“Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits and it is deprived of a precious part of its soul,” Sinha said.

He said the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandit families was a commitment to restoring the historical heritage and human dignity of Kashmir.

“The entire region’s natural, cultural and spiritual beauty will attain completeness only when our Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters return to their homeland with respect, security and confidence,” he said.

Sinha said the Government of India and the local administration were fully committed to the welfare of the families and to facilitating their dignified return to the Kashmir Valley, adding that the inauguration of the accommodation was an important step in that direction.

The Lieutenant Governor directed officials to expedite the construction of the remaining around 700 flats being built under the Prime Minister’s Package and ensure that the employees are provided with the best possible amenities.

The accommodation project envisages 6,000 flats in 342 blocks across 20 locations in 10 districts of Kashmir. The construction was accelerated in 2020 in mission mode. More than 5,200 flats have been completed so far, while over 3,800 have been allotted.

The Zewan complex, the largest among the three inaugurated facilities, comprises 936 flats in 39 blocks, all of which have been allotted. The Kulangam Bagh complex has 288 flats in 18 blocks, while Kakan Maran has 192 flats in 12 blocks.

Sinha directed the concerned departments to complete all pending works without delay. Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department (R&B), Anil Kumar Singh, assured that the remaining flats would be completed by December 2026.

The Lieutenant Governor also stressed the need for uninterrupted electricity and water supply, robust security arrangements, proper waste management and prompt redressal of grievances at the residential complexes.

He commended the labourers, engineers and PWD officials involved in the construction, as well as the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, district administrations, J&K Police, security forces and agencies responsible for water and electricity supply.

Sinha also appreciated the contribution of employees appointed under the Prime Minister’s Package and said the efforts being made to provide them with suitable accommodation should be matched with necessary civic and security facilities.

The event was attended by Anil Kumar Singh; Commissioner Secretary, Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, M Raju; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg; IGP Kashmir Sujit Singh; SSP Srinagar Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy; Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo; Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner Arvind Karwani; senior officials, prominent citizens and PM Package employees.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat