Centre committed to all-round development of border villages: Manoj Sinha

Srinagar, May 13: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Wednesday visited Vibrant Village Trehgam in Kupwara. During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various projects. He also discussed needs and concerns of the villagers.
Addressing a public gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Government of India is fully committed to the all-round development of border villages.
“Every village deserves All-weather roads, modern schools & abundant opportunities for the youth that is the vision driving us to transform Kupwara’s border villages into model villages post-2019. Together, we will turn our resolve into reality,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said that it is central government’s commitment to ensure that every child of Trehgam receives the same quality education available in J&K’s cities.
I want farmers here to access superior seeds, reliable irrigation, and strong market linkages. Trehgam has made remarkable strides in self-employment, with 205 self-help groups and 85 units under Mission Youth already operational. The revival of the historic Sharda Temple in Teetwal has breathed new life into tourism sector. In 2018-19, only 6,900 tourists visited Kupwara, however, in 2024-25, that number surged to 3,77,000. I’m confident that in the next one or two years, every border village will script its own story of prosperity,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor recalled that he had visited Machil on 5th October, 2020, and Keran and Machil areas were connected with Grid Power after 70 years of waiting.
“At that time, reliable power reached about 70% of families in Kupwara’s other villages. In just four years, we have extended it to nearly 95% of households. Telecom connectivity in border villages now stands at 88%. Concerned officials should ensure 100% coverage by the end of this year. Every family in border villages is serving the nation, and that service deserves honor in a transformed quality of life. Through PMGSY and PWD, we have already provided all-weather roads to 15 out of 16 Vibrant Villages in the past. Funding for the last one has arrived from the central government, and work will commence soon. We had planned grid power for every household in all 16 Vibrant Villages and so far 95% saturation has been achieved,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Vibrant Village Phase-2 program outlines three key pillars for holistic growth. First, securing livelihoods by launching new cooperative societies, self-help groups, tourism circuits, and cottage industries, especially empowering women and youth. Second, ensuring physical and digital connectivity to every Vibrant Village, while building strong educational infrastructure. Third, ensuring full saturation of all central government and UT administration schemes. The infrastructure focuses on 4 thematic areas- all-weather road connectivity, telecom, television access, and electrification.
The Lieutenant Governor said through a Whole of Government Approach, officials should dedicate themselves to achieve the target and link villages like Trehgam to the national mainstream.
The Lieutenant Governor highlighted that the administration is looking beyond the government schemes and programmes to create sustainable opportunities for the youth of the villages like Trehgam.
He emphasized that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds are being channeled into building stadiums and playgrounds across the region.
The Lieutenant Governor also reiterated that the Government of India is committed to complete rehabilitation of terror victims and flood affected families.
The project inaugurated by the Lieutenant Governor include establishment of 26 Smart Classrooms in 6 Vibrant Blocks under Aspirational District Programme. The projects for which the foundation stones were laid today are- development of Hill Top Playground, Trehgam, Kupwara at a cost of Rs 1.60 crore and development, renovation/construction and preservation of Cultural Heritage site Shiv Temple at Trehgam, costing Rs 1.94 crores.
The Lieutenant Governor handed over appointment letters to SPOs, jobs and sanction letters to local youth and beneficiaries under various schemes. He also flagged off mobile tuberculosis (TB) Diagnosis and Awareness vehicle.
Mir Saifullah, Member of Legislative Assembly Trehgam; Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department; Ashwani Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department; Anil Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department; M Raju, Commissioner Secretary, GAD; Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary Industries; VK Birdi; IGP Kashmir; Ms R. Alice Vaz, Commissioner Secretary to Government, Planning and Information; Amitava Chatterjee, MD & CEO, J&K Bank; Shrikant Balasaheb Suse, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, senior officials, and people from different walks of life in large number were present.