600 Additional Family Bunkers, Centralised Siren System Planned For Civilians in Jammu-Kashmir Border Areas: Minister

Amid hostilities between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, the government has announced a fresh set of safety measures for civilians living in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

These include the construction of 600 additional family bunkers and the installation of an automated, centralised siren system for real-time alerts during cross-border shelling, the Deccan Herald reported.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, who visited the border areas on Tuesday, highlighted the importance of civil defence infrastructure, particularly in light of the recent escalation. He said that in the last six to seven years, more than 2,000 family bunkers have been constructed. These bunkers proved their utility during the recent Operation Sindoor.

The move is seen as part of a broader strategy to safeguard residents frequently caught in the crossfire along the Line of Control and the International Border. The proposed siren system aims to provide uniform alerts across all border villages, giving residents critical time to seek shelter.

Singh also revealed that a proposal will be sent to the central government for the construction of additional individual bunkers for families. This step, he said, is being taken to ensure that every household in vulnerable areas has direct access to protection in the event of future conflicts.

He further emphasised the need for emergency medical facilities and assessed the situation after Pakistani shelling in the bordering area.