The Central Government has completed 679 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bhaderwah, according to the Block Development Officer. This milestone reflects the government’s ongoing push to provide housing for all, especially in rural and hilly areas.

In the financial year 2023–24, 718 beneficiaries were identified in Bhaderwah block, and 679 homes have already been constructed. Special attention was given to poor and tribal families living in unsafe and unhygienic conditions. Many now have permanent, well-equipped houses that have significantly improved their quality of life.

Bhaderwah Block Development Officer Yasir Ahmed Wani said, “Completing 679 houses in a single year under PMAY showcases the team’s dedication and the government’s commitment. We are focused on achieving 100 per cent coverage of eligible beneficiaries in the coming months.”

The flagship PMAY scheme has brought stability to residents in this mountainous region. For people like Shahdi Lal, a 66-year-old daily wage labourer, the scheme has been transformative. “Earlier, I lived in a mud-walled house that posed risks during rains and storms,” he said. “Thanks to PMAY, I now have a permanent home that shelters my family from the harsh winter. I am grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the local administration.”

Officials say that the continued rollout of welfare schemes like PMAY demonstrates how efficient governance can directly improve lives. Bhaderwah now stands as a model of how targeted rural initiatives can result in lasting grassroots-level change.