PM Modi Govt Committed to Border Villages’ Growth: LG Sinha in Kupwara

Mir Shabir | Kupwara | May 13
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is fully committed to the comprehensive development of border villages in Jammu and Kashmir.
During his visit to the ‘Vibrant Village’ of Trehgam in Kupwara, the Lieutenant Governor inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several development projects and interacted with local residents regarding their concerns and requirements.
Addressing a public gathering, LG Sinha said the Vibrant Village Phase-2 programme is centred around three major pillars aimed at ensuring holistic development of border areas.
He said the first priority is securing livelihoods through new cooperative societies, self-help groups, tourism circuits and cottage industries, particularly focusing on women and youth empowerment.
The second pillar focuses on strengthening physical and digital connectivity, including roads, telecom infrastructure and educational facilities, while the third aims at ensuring complete implementation of all Central and UT government welfare schemes in border villages.
“Every village deserves all-weather roads, modern schools and abundant opportunities for the youth. That is the vision driving us to transform Kupwara’s border villages into model villages after 2019,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He added that the administration is working to ensure that children in villages like Trehgam receive the same quality education available in urban areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting employment and tourism growth, LG Sinha said Trehgam has made notable progress in self-employment with 205 self-help groups and 85 Mission Youth units already operational.
He also said the revival of the historic Sharda Temple has significantly boosted tourism in the region. According to him, tourist arrivals in Kupwara increased from 6,900 in 2018-19 to nearly 3.77 lakh in 2024-25.
Recalling earlier development initiatives, the Lieutenant Governor said grid power reached areas like Machil and Keran in 2020 after decades of neglect.
“In just four years, electricity coverage in border villages has increased to nearly 95 percent, while telecom connectivity has reached 88 percent. Officials must ensure 100 percent coverage by the end of this year,” he said.
LG Sinha further said 15 out of 16 Vibrant Villages have already been connected with all-weather roads under PMGSY and PWD projects, while work on the remaining village will begin soon following release of funds by the Centre.
He stressed the need for a “Whole of Government Approach” to connect villages like Trehgam with the national mainstream and create sustainable opportunities for local youth.
The Lieutenant Governor also said Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds are being utilised for the development of playgrounds and sports infrastructure in the region.
During the visit, LG Sinha inaugurated 26 smart classrooms across six Vibrant Blocks under the Aspirational District Programme. He also laid foundation stones for a hilltop playground in Trehgam costing Rs 1.60 crore and renovation and preservation works at the Shiv Temple in Trehgam estimated at Rs 1.94 crore.
He also distributed appointment letters to SPOs, sanction letters to beneficiaries under various schemes and flagged off a mobile tuberculosis diagnosis and awareness vehicle.
Several senior officials, including MLA Trehgam Mir Saifullah, Additional Chief Secretaries, senior police officers and district officials, attended the programme.