Year: 2017

Srinagar-Jammu highway reopens for light vehicles

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The 300-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway on Wednesday reopened to one-way traffic of light motor vehicles after being blocked due to a massive landslide on the Banihal-Ramban stretch. “Light motor vehicles have now been allowed to move from Nagrota towards Srinagar after partial restoration of the highway,” an official said. The highway was closed due to the landslide triggered by rain at Mehar in Ramban district on Monday night. Almost the entire stretch of the highway in the area had come under boulders and debris.

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Finally, Chenani-Nashri tunnel ready, PMO to finalise date of Inauguration

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With the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) conveying to the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the completion of the country’s longest Chenani-Nashri road tunnel, it is expected to be inaugurated after March 7. The exact date will be finalised after the PMO communicates the availability of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the inauguration ceremony. Earlier, the PMO had sought clearance from the NHAI regarding the opening of the much-awaited 9.2-km tunnel. “The NHAI conveyed to the PMO that the tunnel was all set to be inaugurated as all work had…

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US Researchers discover ancient primate species in Kashmir

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“Among the primates, the most common ones in the Kashmir region are from a genus called Sivapithecus, which were ancestral forms of orangutans,” Patel said. Researchers have discovered a new primate species that lived in Jammu and Kashmir some 11 to 14 million years ago. Scientists have named the new species Ramadapis sahnii. It is a member of the ancient Sivaladapidae primate family, consumed leaves and was about the size of a house cat, said study co-author Biren Patel, Associate Professor at Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California…

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PDP-BJP govt’s performance must be reviewed periodically: Sangh

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Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) stalwart Dattatreya Hosabale today hinted that the PDP-BJP political agreement in J&K is not a permanent coalition. He suggested that its performance should be reviewed after repeated intervals. Addressing ‘Samnway Baithak’ (coordination meeting) of various organisations associated with the Sangh Parivar, Dattatreya said the ideology was paramount for the parivar and there was no reason to compromise on it. Although Dattatreya did not mention the PDP-BJP alliance in his address, he made a veiled remark towards the coalition between the two parties having diametrically opposite ideologies.…

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Ladakh worried over costly air travel ahead of tourist season

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Civil Aviation Ministry non-committal about subsidised air tickets With Ladakh bracing up to host domestic and foreign tourists, the exorbitant air travel to the arid region continues to be a cause for worry for all stakeholders as the Civil Aviation Ministry is yet to make a formal commitment on “rationalisation of airfares” for Ladakh during peak tourist season from May to September. Their only hope about some relief lies in the expected increase in the frequency of flights to Ladakh in summer. Besides Vistara, a domestic airline, has also decided…

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Schools reopen today after 8 Months across Kashmir

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Schools had to be shut, following protests by locals and clashes with security forces in retaliation to Hizbul commander’s killing on July 8. All schools in Kashmir reopened today after an on and off break for eight months, due to the unrest the Valley found itself in after Burhan Wani’s encounter. Schools had to be shut, following protests by locals and clashes with security forces in retaliation to Hizbul commander’s killing on July 8. Midway the protests, over 19 schools were torched by assailants, after which a complete clampdown was…

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Shadow of ‘Failed Plans’ on Jammu Master Plan-2032

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Implementation needs political will, curbing of illegal construction Though the long-pending approval to the Master Plan-2032 by the state Cabinet recently has generated hope among the inhabitants of the temple city of major infrastructure rejig during the next decade, the legacy of ‘failed master plans’ since 1974 could cast its shadow on the ambitious projects. The first 20-year plan for Jammu was announced in 1978 and another one in 2004 but the city has emerged as most unplanned city in north India due to corruption, lack of foresight on the…

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LAWDA demolishes huts within Nigeen Lake

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Continuing with the demolition drive, Lakes and Waterways Development Authority through its Enforcement Wing demolished three wooden huts which were raised illegally at Nigeen Lake in brazen violation of High Court directions. During the demolition drive, one squad member got injured. Meanwhile, the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority has warned the people against raising illegal structures in and around the Dal and Nigeen lakes. Despite repeated warnings, people are trying to raise illegal constructions around the Dal and Nigeen lakes. LAWDA has asked them not to raising such constructions and…

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Efforts being made to improve connectivity in J&K: Modi

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Efforts are being made by the Government of India (GoI) to improve connectivity and infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday. He talked about the efforts while interacting with a group of over 100 youth and children from state who are currently touring different parts of India as part of the initiative “Watan Ko Jaano.” The youth and children asked a number of questions to the Prime Minister on themes such as infrastructure development in Jammu and Kashmir, sports facilities in the state, education and employment…

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Newly installed Bailey bridge at Mehjoor Nagar thrown open

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After mounting public pressure, government on Tuesday afternoon opened the newly installed Bailey bridge at Mehjoor Nagar for vehicular movement. The Mehjoor Nagar bridge was closed on February 7 for vehicular movement after one of its supporting pillars had collapsed. The closure of the bridge had triggered protests for several days by people living in adjoining areas forcing the authorities to provide alternative to the closed bridge. Sources said that the Bailey bridge was thrown open for public after its completion on the directions from R&B Minister Naeem Akhtar. “There…

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