NEW DELHI- As many as 14,460 bunkers will be constructed along the Line ofControl and the International Border in occupied Jammu and Kashmir tomitigate the hardships faced by border dwellers, the Rajya Sabha wasinformed on Wednesday.

Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said the Ministry ofHome Affairs had approved a pilot project for construction of 60 bunkers ata cost of Rs 3 crore during the year 2016-17, which has since beencompleted.

Following the recent visit of Home Minister Rajnath Singh to the state, thecentre had approved construction of another 14,460 bunkers at a cost of Rs415.73 crore, he said in reply to a written question.

Ahir added that the steps have been taken to mitigate the hardships facedby people living on the International Border and Line of Control due tocross border firing.