LG Sinha Visits Vibrant Village in Kupwara | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday visited the Vibrant Village of Trehgam in Kupwara district, where he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several development projects and interacted with local residents to discuss their concerns and requirements.

Addressing a public gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remains committed to the comprehensive development of border villages across Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the administration is working to transform Kupwara’s border villages into model villages by ensuring all-weather road connectivity, better educational infrastructure and greater employment opportunities for the youth.

Sinha said every child in Trehgam should receive the same standard of education available in urban areas of Jammu and Kashmir. He also stressed the need to provide farmers with quality seeds, dependable irrigation facilities and stronger market access.

Highlighting employment initiatives, the Lieutenant Governor said Trehgam has witnessed significant progress in self-employment generation, with 205 self-help groups and 85 units established under Mission Youth. He also said the revival of the historic Sharda Temple in Teetwal has boosted tourism in Kupwara district.

According to the Lieutenant Governor, tourist arrivals in Kupwara increased from 6,900 in 2018-19 to around 3.77 lakh in 2024-25. He expressed confidence that border villages would witness further economic growth in the coming years.

Recalling his visit to Machil in October 2020, Sinha said Keran and Machil were connected with grid power after nearly 70 years. He added that electricity coverage in border villages has increased from around 70 per cent to nearly 95 per cent over the past four years, while telecom connectivity has reached 88 per cent.

He directed officials to ensure complete telecom coverage in all border villages by the end of the year. He also said all-weather road connectivity has already been provided to 15 of the 16 Vibrant Villages under PMGSY and the Public Works Department, while work on the remaining village will begin soon after the release of central funds.

The Lieutenant Governor said the second phase of the Vibrant Village Programme focuses on livelihood generation, physical and digital connectivity, educational infrastructure and full implementation of central and Union Territory government welfare schemes.

He emphasised that the administration is also exploring opportunities beyond government schemes to create sustainable employment for local youth. He added that Corporate Social Responsibility funds are being utilised to develop stadiums and playgrounds in the region.

Sinha further reiterated the Government of India’s commitment towards the rehabilitation of terror victims and families affected by floods.

Among the projects inaugurated was the establishment of 26 smart classrooms in six Vibrant Blocks under the Aspirational District Programme. The Lieutenant Governor also laid foundation stones for the development of a hilltop playground in Trehgam at a cost of Rs 1.60 crore and for the renovation, development and preservation of the Shiv Temple heritage site at Trehgam at an estimated cost of Rs 1.94 crore.

During the programme, the Lieutenant Governor distributed appointment letters to Special Police Officers, job sanction letters to local youth and benefits under various government schemes. He also flagged off a mobile tuberculosis diagnosis and awareness vehicle.

MLA Trehgam Mir Saifullah, senior civil and police officials, and a large number of local residents attended the event.