Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said that the Centre has sanctioned Rs.3 crore for the construction of bunkers in Jammu on a pilot basis.
Over 20,000 concrete bunkers will be built along the Line of Control and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir for the safety of residents living in border areas in Jammu region, said chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in the state assembly.
Mr Sayeed, who also holds the home portfolio in the state, said in a written reply, "A proposal has been submitted to the union ministry of home affairs for the construction of 20,125 community-type bunkers at various places along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu division for people living near the border."
The cost of constructing the bunkers is expected to be over Rs.1,000 crore. The chief minister said, "The government of India has sanctioned Rs.three crore for the construction of bunkers on a pilot basis."
He informed the state assembly that 48 people, including 28 civilians and 20 security personnel, were killed during ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Jammu along the LoC and IB from 2012 up to September 30, 2015.
This includes the death of 14 civilians, the highest in recent years.
"Nearly 193 houses have suffered damage due to border firing or shelling on the LoC and IB in Jammu during the last four years," Mr Sayeed said.
Over Rs.56 lakh were provided as ex gratia to the next of kin of those who died or were injured in border firing.
In terrorism-related incidents, 30 people, including 13 civilians and 17 security men, lost their lives in Jammu division since 2012.