Jammu, June 29, 2025: A Right to Information (RTI) query has revealed that nearly half of the central funds allocated for the construction of border bunkers in Jammu and Kashmir remain unutilized, raising serious concerns about implementation delays and administrative inefficiencies.
The funds were meant to build individual and community bunkers for residents living along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) to protect them during cross-border shelling. However, the RTI response indicates that several sanctioned bunkers are either incomplete or yet to be initiated despite the release of substantial financial aid.
Officials cite land acquisition delays, tendering issues, and contractor disengagements as key reasons behind the slow progress. Border residents continue to face life-threatening risks during ceasefire violations in the absence of these critical safety structures.
The revelation has sparked criticism from civil society groups and political parties, who are demanding accountability and timely completion of all pending bunker projects.