Mohra Hydroelectric Project: How Asia’s First Powerhouse in Kashmir Became a Forgotten Ruin

Mohra Hydroelectric Project: How Asia’s First Powerhouse in Kashmir Became a Forgotten Ruin

Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project: How Asia’s Earliest Power Station in Kashmir Slipped Into Silence By: Javid Amin | 25 January 2026 More than a century ago, when large parts of Asia still relied on oil lamps and fireplaces, electric bulbs glowed in Srinagar—powered not by coal or diesel, but by the flowing waters of the Jhelum River. At the heart of this quiet revolution stood the Mohra Hydroelectric Power Project, commissioned in 1905 during the reign of Maharaja Pratap Singh. It was not merely a power station; it was a…

Read More

Re-merging the Lost Unity: Omar Abdullah’s Call to Restore Ladakh with Jammu & Kashmir

Re-merging the Lost Unity: Omar Abdullah’s Call to Restore Ladakh with Jammu & Kashmir

Re-merger of Ladakh with Jammu & Kashmir: Omar Abdullah’s Historic Call from Gulmarg Snowfields | Political Feature By: Javid Amin | 25 January 2026 A Snowy Summit with a Political Message On Republic Day 2026, from the expansive, iconic snow slopes of Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah delivered a politically charged appeal: “Re-merge Ladakh with Jammu & Kashmir.” This was not an ordinary speech, nor merely a political soundbite targeted at local constituencies. Rather, it was a strategic declaration framed to resonate with history, symbolism, and contemporary…

Read More

Special Katra–Srinagar Train to Run on January 27–28: How Railways Are Keeping Kashmir Connected Amid Snowfall Crisis

Special Katra–Srinagar Train to Run on January 27–28: How Railways Are Keeping Kashmir Connected Amid Snowfall Crisis

Special Train Between Katra and Srinagar to Run on January 27–28: A Lifeline During Kashmir’s Winter Disruptions By: Javid Amin | 24 January 2026 When winter tightens its grip on Kashmir, connectivity becomes more than a logistical concern—it becomes a lifeline. Heavy snowfall, landslides, and freezing temperatures routinely cut off the Valley from the rest of the country, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and supply chains stretched. Against this backdrop, officials have announced that a special train service between Katra and Srinagar will operate on January 27 and 28, 2026,…

Read More

Ladakh Pins Hopes on Feb 4 Talks With Centre Over Statehood and Sixth Schedule Demands

Ladakh Pins Hopes on Feb 4 Talks With Centre Over Statehood and Sixth Schedule Demands

Ladakh Pins Hopes on February 4 Talks With Centre Over Long-Pending Demands By: Javid Amin | 24 January 2026 Statehood, Sixth Schedule safeguards, and land rights dominate agenda as region awaits a decisive political moment A Crucial Date for Ladakh’s Political Future Ladakh is preparing for what many residents and political observers see as a make-or-break moment. Scheduled for February 4, 2026, talks between Ladakhi representatives and the Union government, particularly the Ministry of Home Affairs, have raised expectations across the region that long-pending demands will finally receive serious consideration.…

Read More

Fresh Snow in Kashmir: Srinagar–Jammu National Highway Closed for Third Day

Fresh Snow in Kashmir: Srinagar–Jammu National Highway Closed for Third Day

Fresh Snowfall in Kashmir Keeps Srinagar–Jammu Highway Shut for Third Day By: Javid Amin | 24 January 2026 Hundreds of Vehicles Stranded as Winter Weather Continues to Isolate the Valley Highway Closure Enters Third Day Fresh snowfall across Kashmir has paralysed road connectivity, with the 270-kilometre Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH-44) remaining closed for the third consecutive day on Sunday. The highway — the only all-weather road link connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country — has been shut since Friday, January 23, 2026, due to heavy snow…

Read More

Srinagar Airport Suspends Flights Amid Heavy Snowfall: Delays, Cancellations and Travel Advisory

Srinagar Airport Suspends Flights Amid Heavy Snowfall: Delays, Cancellations and Travel Advisory

Srinagar Airport Suspends Flight Operations 2026 | Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Air Travel By: Javid Amin | 22 January 2026 Flight operations at Srinagar Airport were temporarily suspended on January 23, 2026, as heavy snowfall and poor visibility conditions across the Kashmir Valley forced authorities to halt both arrivals and departures. The disruption has affected air travellers en route to and from the region, left several flights cancelled, and prompted airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and others to issue urgent travel advisories for passengers. This comprehensive feature explores the overarching circumstances…

Read More

Forest Fires Ravage Kashmir Valley in Unprecedented Spate

Forest Fires Ravage Kashmir Valley in Unprecedented Spate

Forest Fires in Kashmir Valley 2026: Causes, Impacts, Response, Climate Context | Kashmir Wildfire Crisis By: Javid Amin | 22 January 2026 A Valley Under Fire In late January 2026, multiple forest fires erupted across the Kashmir Valley, consuming large swathes of woodland, threatening residential settlements and wildlife habitats, and drawing a stark spotlight on the growing wildfire crisis in the region. Fueled by unusually strong winds and prolonged dry conditions, these fires have rapidly spread across districts such as Anantnag, Kulgam and Uri, stretching firefighting resources and raising alarm…

Read More

Kashmir’s Smart Meter Rollout Sparks Power Bill Shock: Why Households Are Paying More and What It Means for the Valley

Kashmir’s Smart Meter Rollout Sparks Power Bill Shock: Why Households Are Paying More and What It Means for the Valley

Kashmir’s Smart Meter Push: When Modernisation Meets Public Anger Over Power Bills By: Javid Amin | 22 January 2026 For decades, electricity in Kashmir followed a familiar rhythm—erratic supply, predictable billing, and public frustration that rarely spilled onto the streets. That balance has now been disrupted. Across towns and villages in the Valley, the government’s push to replace traditional electricity connections with smart meters has ignited widespread protests, sharp political reactions, and a growing trust deficit between consumers and power authorities. What was projected as a technological upgrade promising transparency,…

Read More

Kashmir Braces for Snow and Rain: Back-to-Back Western Disturbances Set to Hit J&K (Jan 22–28, 2026)

Kashmir Braces for Snow and Rain: Back-to-Back Western Disturbances Set to Hit J&K (Jan 22–28, 2026)

Kashmir is set to experience widespread rain and snowfall from today (Jan 22), as two back‑to‑back Western Disturbances grip Jammu & Kashmir. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of heavy precipitation, possible highway disruptions, and avalanche risks, with peak activity expected on Jan 23 and again on Jan 27. By: Javid Amin | 21 January 2026 A Region Poised for Winter Extremes Kashmir, the picturesque Himalayan valley known for its dramatic landscapes and winter tourism, is bracing for another intense spell of winter weather. Beginning January 22, 2026,…

Read More

Editors Guild Flags Curbs on Journalists in Kashmir, Warns of Shrinking Press Freedom

Editors Guild Warns Against Repression of Journalists in Kashmir

Editors Guild Warns Against Repression of Journalists in Kashmir By: Javid Amin | 21 January 2026 Police summons of reporters revive fears of intimidation, self-censorship, and democratic backsliding in India’s most sensitive region Journalism Under the Scanner Once Again The Editors Guild of India (EGI) has issued a strongly worded statement condemning what it describes as the “continued repression of legitimate journalistic activity” in Jammu and Kashmir, warning that the repeated summoning of journalists by police risks normalising intimidation and undermining the foundations of a free press. The statement follows…

Read More