Kashmir incomplete without Kashmiri pandits: LG Manoj Sinha opens 1,416 transit flats for PM package employees
Sinha said the Valley’s literary consciousness, spiritual heritage and cultural splendour could not be imagined without the contributions of Kashmiri Pandits.
Published: Nov 01, 2026, 04:20 PM IST
| Updated: Nov 01, 2026, 04:25 PM IST
Sinha said the Valley’s literary consciousness, spiritual heritage and cultural splendour could not be imagined without the contributions of Kashmiri Pandits.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday inaugurated 1,416 newly constructed transit accommodation flats for employees appointed under the Prime Minister’s Package, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to the safe and dignified return of Kashmiri Pandit families to the Valley.
The largest residential complex, at Zewan in Srinagar, was inaugurated in person, while facilities at Kakan Maran in Budgam and Kulangam Bagh in Kupwara were dedicated virtually.
Addressing the gathering, Sinha said the occasion represented much more than the completion of housing infrastructure, describing each flat as a reflection of the aspirations and resilience of families seeking a secure future in Kashmir.
“Each flat represents the aspirations, resilience and hopes of a family seeking a secure future in Kashmir,” he said.
The inauguration of the 1,416 flats across the three locations marks a significant step towards improving living conditions for PM Package employees and advancing the broader objective of enabling Kashmiri Pandits to return to their homeland with dignity, security and confidence.
6,000 flats planned across Kashmir valley
The transit accommodation project, accelerated in mission mode in 2020, envisages the construction of 6,000 flats across 342 blocks at 20 locations in 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley.
Of the total sanctioned accommodation, more than 5,200 flats have already been completed, while over 3,800 have been allotted.
The three complexes inaugurated on Sunday account for a substantial part of the latest phase of the project.
- Zewan, Srinagar: The largest complex under the project, comprising 936 flats across 39 blocks. All the flats have been allotted.
- Kulangam Bagh, Kupwara: 288 flats spread across 18 blocks.
- Kakan Maran, Budgam: 192 flats across 12 blocks.
Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department, Anil Kumar Singh assured the Lieutenant Governor that the remaining flats under the overall project would be completed by December this year.
Sinha directed officials to expedite pending work and ensure that construction is completed without delay. He stressed that handing over the flats would mark the beginning of a broader responsibility towards the residents.
He called for uninterrupted electricity and water supply, adequate security arrangements, effective waste management and a responsive grievance redressal mechanism.
‘Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri pandits’
In his address, Sinha paid tribute to the workers, engineers, Public Works Department officials, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, district administrations, J&K Police, security forces and agencies responsible for establishing water and electricity infrastructure.
He also acknowledged the dedicated service of PM Package employees who continue to work in the Valley.
Delivering an emotional message on the return of the Kashmiri Pandit community, the Lieutenant Governor said Kashmir’s cultural and spiritual identity remained incomplete without them.
“Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits, and it is deprived of a precious part of its soul. Dignified return of Kashmiri Pandit families is a commitment to restoring the historical heritage and human dignity of the Kashmir Division. This entire region’s natural, cultural, and spiritual beauty will attain completeness only when Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters return to their homeland with respect, security, and confidence,” he said.
Sinha said the Valley’s literary consciousness, spiritual heritage and cultural splendour could not be imagined without the contributions of Kashmiri Pandits.
Their dignified return, he said, was essential to preserving Kashmir’s civilisational continuity.
Housing project addresses long-standing demand
The inauguration addresses a long-standing demand from Kashmiri Pandit migrant employees, who have been seeking secure accommodation in the Valley to enable them to carry out their duties without constant concerns over housing and safety.
Several employees had staged protests in the past, demanding early possession of the flats allotted to them.
The administration’s focus, Sinha said, must now extend beyond construction to ensuring that employees and their families have access to secure and adequate living conditions.
In a post on X shortly after the ceremony, the Lieutenant Governor described the project as “a symbol of hope, dignity and a brighter future for Kashmiri Pandit employees and their families”.
He said it reflected the administration’s unwavering commitment to providing safe housing and a better quality of life.
Senior officials attend zewan inauguration
Several senior officials attended the inauguration ceremony at Zewan, including Anil Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Public Works); M Raju, Commissioner Secretary, Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction; Anshul Garg, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Sujit Singh, IGP Kashmir; Dr G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, SSP Srinagar; Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; and Arvind Karwani, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner.
Senior officials, prominent citizens and beneficiary PM Package employees were also present.
With more than 5,200 of the 6,000 planned flats already completed and the remaining units targeted for completion by December, the transit accommodation project represents a major step towards providing Kashmiri Pandit employees with secure housing in the Valley.
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