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USBRL Section Ready for February Inauguration: What to Expect

January 23, 2025 Editor

USBRL section set to be inaugurated in first week of February Ramban, Jan 22: With the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, its inauguration is scheduled to be held in the first week of February. In an official communiqué, in view of the inauguration of USBRL section in the first week of February, Northern Railways North circle has asked Northern Railways Firozpur division “to arrange to move both USBRL Vande Bharat Rakes from SSB to BDGM in the morning of January 24 and January 25, 2025 for trial…

Experts Sound Alarm Over Proposed Amendments to J&K Building Bylaws

January 23, 2025 Editor

Architects, environmental experts raise concerns over changes in building bylaws Architects and environmental experts have voiced concerns over proposed amendments to the J&K Unified Building Byelaws (UBBL) 2021, calling for more comprehensive public consultations before implementation. The J&K Housing and Urban Development Department recently invited public suggestions on the proposed amendments to UBBL-2021. However, experts argue that the proposed changes are unsuitable for ecologically sensitive regions like Jammu and Kashmir and could increase the risk of disasters and urban congestion. The deadline for submitting suggestions was January 18. A Kashmir-based…

Kashmir’s Hopes Derailed: No Direct Train from Srinagar to Delhi

January 17, 2025 Editor

Excitement dampens in Kashmir as Railways decide against direct Srinagar-Delhi train The Indian Railways’ decision not to introduce a direct train service between Srinagar and Delhi has dampened excitement surrounding the long-awaited project. The service is expected to launch around Republic Day. This service follows over two decades of effort by engineers and construction workers to complete the 272-long Udhampur-Baramulla- Srinagar-Railwayline (USBRL). Passengers travelling from Srinagar to Delhi will alight at Mata Vaishno Devi Station (MVDS) in Katra, Reasi, for a fresh security check before boarding another train for Delhi. Similarly,…

How Mandatory Train Stops Could Derail Kashmir’s Growth

January 13, 2025 Editor

Katra Train Swap: Convenience or Concern? The Kashmir Rail Project Debate By: Javid Amin The Kashmir Rail Project, once heralded as a transformative infrastructural achievement, now finds itself at the center of controversy. The mandatory deboarding of train passengers at Katra has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, with concerns ranging from passenger inconvenience to its potential impact on logistics, business, and tourism. While government authorities cite security concerns as the rationale behind this decision, stakeholders question whether this move aligns with the original vision of seamless connectivity promised by…

Direct Or Detour?: The Debate Over the Srinagar-Delhi Train’s Midway Stop at Katra

January 11, 2025 Editor

Srinagar-Delhi Train Service: Why Passengers Deserve a Seamless Journey Without Midway Disruptions By: Javid Amin The long-anticipated Srinagar-Delhi train service was envisioned as a transformative development for the people of Jammu & Kashmir, promising seamless travel between the capital city and the rest of India. However, reports that passengers will be required to deboard at Katra Railway Station, undergo security checks, and board another train have sparked widespread criticism. Political leaders, passenger groups, and citizens have raised concerns over this arrangement, labeling it inconvenient, unnecessary, and counterproductive to the purpose…

Kashmir Awaits: Decades of Patience and a Ride Full of Expectations

January 10, 2025 Editor

Three decades of wait, plus a few fears, ride on the train to Kashmir Five years after it claimed to have bridged the historical gap between Kashmir and the rest of the country with the abrogation of Article 370, the Narendra Modi government is looking at a geographical triumph with the inauguration of the last link connecting Kashmir to the country’s railway network. The project was promised first in 1994, and seemed a remote possibility, with Kashmir in the grip of militancy at the time. For close to a decade,…

Centre Should Restore Statehood Before Court Intervention : Omar Abdullah

January 3, 2025 Editor

Hope UT status temporary, dual power centres of no good; Says before moving court, Centre must be given chance to restore statehood Hoping that Jammu and Kashmir’s status as a Union Territory is a “temporary phase”, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the Centre should be given the first opportunity to restore statehood rather than immediately approaching the court. In his first detailed media interaction in Srinagar since assuming office two months ago, Omar emphasised that dual centres of power were “not to anyone’s advantage”. Responding to a question…

Electricity Crisis in Kashmir: Battling Darkness in the Harsh Winter

December 19, 2024December 19, 2024 Editor

The Winter Struggle: How Power Cuts Are Affecting Life in Kashmir Srinagar, December 19, 2024 – As snow blankets the valleys of Kashmir, the region plunges into an all-too-familiar struggle with prolonged and frequent electricity cuts. Residents across metered and non-metered areas are enduring outages that range from 50% to 60%, throwing their daily lives into disarray during one of the most challenging times of the year. From students struggling to study by candlelight to patients relying on life-saving devices, the electricity crisis has wide-reaching consequences. As promises of improvement…

Omar Abdullah’s Bold Statement: Rectifying BJP’s Wrongs in Jammu and Kashmir

December 14, 2024December 14, 2024 Editor

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Vows to Rectify Wrongs Done by BJP Government Srinagar, December 13, 2024 – In a bold statement, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has vowed to rectify the wrongs done by the previous BJP government. Addressing the media outside the Chamber House following a meeting, Abdullah emphasized his commitment to addressing the issues and challenges faced by the region under the BJP’s rule. Key Points from CM Omar Abdullah’s Statement: Restoration of Statehood: Abdullah reiterated his government’s dedication to restoring the full statehood of Jammu…

BJP Leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Slams Iltija Mufti for Calling Hindutva a ‘Disease’

December 9, 2024December 9, 2024 Editor

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that Hindutva conveys a message of bringing all sections of society together and progressing with inclusive thinking. Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Sunday slammed People’s Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti for calling Hindutva a “disease.” He said that those unfamiliar with the country’s “sanskriti and sanskar” should be gently reminded of the importance of “Sanatan culture.” “Hindutva is desh ki ‘sanskriti’ hai, ‘sanskar’ hai and those who are unaware of the ‘sanskriti and sanskar’ of this country definitely need to…