To bolster security and improve communication in the remote terror-affected areas of Billawar in Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir, two army brigades have been deployed and a mobile network has been established, Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced on Saturday. These measures aim to enhance surveillance capabilities and provide a greater sense of safety for local residents.
Addressing a public gathering in Billawar, Singh, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), emphasized that the deployment of two armed brigades—one already stationed at Sarthal and another recently set up in Rampur township—will ensure round-the-clock army presence and seamless coordination between military and civil administration. “The brigadier and the district magistrate will maintain continuous liaison to ensure effective monitoring and response,” Singh added.
The mobile network installation marks a major breakthrough for far-flung areas like Lowang in the Bani region, which had been without connectivity since independence. The first mobile call was made on Friday evening following the activation of the new mobile tower. Singh noted that this connectivity will not only benefit residents and students but also enable the armed forces to maintain real-time surveillance in the region.
Singh also informed that the long-pending demand for widening the Dhar Road, which connects Samba and Udhampur districts, is now underway, with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) preparing to hand over the road to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for expansion. This infrastructure improvement is expected to boost both security and local development, especially following the recent India-Pakistan conflict.
Highlighting other regional improvements, Singh said 55 Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) schemes have been approved for the area to address drinking water shortages, with nearly 70 percent of the work completed, benefiting almost 15,000 households. Additionally, under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme, 1,250 households in Billawar town will soon receive drinking water facilities.
Singh also proposed developing a Master Plan for the Sukrala Mata temple to attract tourism similar to destinations like Mussoorie, which could bring economic growth to the area.
Singh credited these developments to the consistent day-to-day follow-up and personal attention by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the measures have instilled confidence and a greater sense of security among local communities in Kathua.
