J-K govt sanctions Rs 82 crore to repair migrant flats; 'curing cancer with a bandage', say residents

The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved a Rs 82.45-crore repair project for 5,000 flats across Jammu's migrant camps, a move dismissed by displaced Kashmiri community as an attempt to "cure cancer with a bandage" by favouring superficial fixes over addressing deep structural flaws.

Nearly 7,000 displaced families reside across the Jagti, Muthi, TRT Nagrota, Buta Nagar, and Purkhoo camps. Residents and activists argue that the sanctioned budget is insufficient for the scale of neglect, calling for an immediate structural safety audit before any funds are spent on cosmetic upkeep.

According to an official statement issued on Sunday, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants) Arvind Karwani during a review meeting on Saturday announced that the Public Works Department (PWD) will begin repairs shortly as tenders are finalised and also directed officials to perform structural audits and prioritize works in consultation with camp residents and commandants.

The PWD is formulating a project to upgrade internal roads, parks, schools, dispensaries, and the Sub-District Hospital in Jagti, while to address water shortages, the Jal Shakti Department is conceiving a Rs 10 crore project to augment water supply in Jagti Township, supported by regular quality testing and tanker supply.

A Rs 11.5-crore sewage treatment plant project has also been finalised for the Nagrota, Muthi-Buta Nagar, and Purkhoo camps.

More than 2,600 families have accessed social sector schemes following the digitisation of migrant ration cards, with a second outreach drive set to launch in mid-September to assist with welfare and skill development applications.

Karwani also directed senior officers to conduct weekly camp visits to address resident grievances and track developmental progress.

It was also decided that another round of extensive outreach camp shall be conducted from the second week of September at various locations in Jammu to create awareness in filling of applications about various welfare schemes, and self employment and skill development schemes of the government, the statement said.

The relief and rehabilitation commissioner said senior officers were directed to ensure weekly visits in the camps assigned to them as per the duty roster and take stock of all development works and grievances of the camp inmates including those related to immovable properties in Kashmir Valley.

However, the residents are not sure that the money could be of any help to complete the mammoth task mentioned by the government.

"You cannot cure cancer with a bandage; it requires chemotherapy or surgery," said advocate Vishva Ranjan Pandita and expressed concern over how extensive works, such as slab repairs, plastering, kitchen and bathroom renovations, and civil works, can be executed safely with what he termed a meagre budget.

Social activist Vinod Khera highlighted that heavily rusted reinforcement iron is already visible in several blocks. Before spending money on paint and superficial repairs, he insisted that the structural integrity of these buildings must be scientifically assessed.

"In several buildings, exposed and heavily rusted reinforcement iron is already visible. Before spending money on plaster, paint, flooring or other superficial repairs, the structural integrity of these buildings must be scientifically assessed. If the structures are found unsafe, they require reconstruction or major structural rehabilitation, not another layer of plaster," he said.

Kashmiri Pandit activist Naveen Bhat said that the government must conduct a formal engineering survey to fund genuine, permanent solutions rather than making deteriorating buildings temporarily presentable.

"The government needs to assess the actual requirement through a proper engineering survey and provide adequate funds accordingly. The objective must be to provide displaced families with safe and dignified housing, not merely make deteriorating buildings look presentable," Bhat said.

Drawing a similarity, he said a bandage may cover a wound, but it cannot cure cancer "likewise, cosmetic repairs cannot cure decades of structural neglect".

"The government must address the root of the problem if it genuinely wants to provide a permanent and dignified solution to the displaced Kashmiri Pandits," he added.

Earlier this month, PTI had reported on the crumbling township and daily hardships of the people of Jagti township, which includes 4,242 two-room flats distributed among 24 buildings and provides accommodation for about 5,600 families.

Each family has a unit of 495 sq ft which consists of a bedroom, a kitchen and a lobby. Even though there is serious overcrowding and families are growing, about 80 flats are still unoccupied and more than half of the 200 commercial shops in the township have never been assigned.

Locals said that the buildings are rapidly falling into disrepair -- the outer plaster is coming off while the inside walls are affected by continuous water seepage. The condition gets worse during the monsoon when the leaking roofs result in serious water accumulation inside, they said.