Srinagar, May 13: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday visited Uran Bowa, a Vibrant Village in Baramulla district, where he reviewed ongoing development works, interacted with residents, and announced a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening infrastructure and livelihood opportunities in border areas.
Addressing a public gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said border villages are no longer isolated from the country’s development agenda and reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to inclusive growth in frontier regions.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the distance between Delhi and border villages has reduced significantly. These villages are now connected to the mainstream of development,” he said.
Highlighting the progress under the Vibrant Villages Programme, Sinha said all 18 villages covered under the initiative have been linked through all-weather roads, while efforts are underway to connect all 83 border villages in Baramulla.
He said digital infrastructure in these strategically important villages has also witnessed major improvement.
“Before 2019, telecom and digital coverage in these areas was below 40 percent. Today, all 18 villages have 100 percent 4G and 5G connectivity,” he said, adding that the administration remains committed to extending reliable mobile and internet services to every remote border settlement.
The Lieutenant Governor said the administration is focusing on literacy, economic growth, and livelihood generation to improve living standards in border villages. He added that youth and women are being encouraged towards entrepreneurship and self-employment, while vocational training, tourism, and agricultural initiatives are opening new avenues of prosperity.
During the visit, Sinha inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 94 crore under various sectors as part of Vibrant Villages Programme-II, covering 83 border villages in Baramulla.
He also distributed appointment orders to Special Police Officers (SPOs), handed over computer tablets to students, and provided sanction letters to beneficiaries under HADP, Mission Yuva, and other government schemes.
The Lieutenant Governor also unveiled the jersey and trophy for the upcoming SPANDAN League 2026, the North Kashmir Football Championship to be organised by BSF.
Among those present were Dr Sajjad Shafi, MLA Uri; Nalin Prabhat, Director General of Police; S.J.M. Gillani, Special DG Coordination PHQ; Sarmad Hafeez, Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare; V.K. Birdi, IGP Kashmir; Anshul Garg, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, along with senior BSF, police, and civil administration officials.
