Image Credit: X account @ChouhanShivra
JK’s 5 Lakh Homeless to Get Permanent Shelters, Says Centre
In a significant push for inclusive development, the Government of India has announced plans to provide permanent housing to nearly 5 lakh homeless individuals in Jammu and Kashmir. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan confirmed the initiative during his visit to the Union Territory, outlining a massive shelter campaign aimed at uplifting the region’s most vulnerable population.
The project will focus on both urban and rural areas, targeting individuals and families who currently live without secure housing. According to the minister, this is part of a broader national commitment to ensure that every citizen has access to safe and dignified living conditions. The announcement comes amid growing concerns over displacement, migration, and the long-term impact of instability in certain pockets of the region.
Permanent Housing for the Homeless
The initiative seeks to construct permanent shelters equipped with essential services such as clean water, electricity, sanitation, and access to social welfare programs. These homes are expected to be integrated into existing communities to ensure long-term settlement and support.
Chouhan highlighted the transformative potential of the plan: “Saving a life is more than just providing a roof; it’s about restoring hope and dignity.” The move is expected to significantly reduce homelessness and offer a stable platform for education, employment, and healthcare access.
Funding and Implementation Framework
The programme will be aligned with the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and other central schemes, with funding drawn from both central and UT-level budgets. The Union Government aims to ensure full transparency and efficiency through digital monitoring systems, community feedback, and local authority engagement.
Construction will begin in a phased manner, with a focus on fast-tracking projects in high-need areas. The authorities are also expected to collaborate with non-governmental partners for on-ground assistance, especially in remote and border villages where homelessness is often compounded by isolation and lack of resources.
Addressing Long-standing Vulnerability
Jammu and Kashmir’s homelessness crisis has been fuelled by multiple factors including conflict-induced displacement, natural calamities, and socio-economic inequalities. The government’s plan to provide permanent homes is seen as a critical intervention to stabilise affected populations and foster social inclusion.
The initiative is being widely welcomed as a long-overdue step toward giving the underprivileged not just a home, but a future. By focusing on permanent, well-equipped shelters, the government hopes to bridge the housing gap and usher in a new era of dignity and development for lakhs of citizens who have long lived on the margins.
