#InfrastructureDevelopment Archives

Jammu & Kashmir Railway Expansion: Projects Face Strategic and Feasibility Hurdles

March 14, 2025 Editor

Five New Railway Surveys Underway in J&K, Others Remain Stalled: Government Updates The Union government revealed on Wednesday that five new railway surveys are currently underway in Jammu and Kashmir, while other long-awaited projects remain stalled due to feasibility concerns and funding constraints. Key Highlights from the Railway Minister’s Statement Speaking in the Lok Sabha in response to Member of Parliament Mohmad Haneefa’s query, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shed light on the progress and challenges of railway connectivity in the region. Notably, the minister confirmed: The Srinagar-Kargil-Leh rail plan was…

Privatization of Power in J&K: Key Meeting Set for February 5th

February 3, 2025 Editor

Is privatization of power distribution on the cards in J&K? Chief Secy to discuss the matter on Feb 5 Srinagar, Feb 02: The Jammu and Kashmir government appears to be moving forward with plans to privatize power distribution in the Union Territory, following the implementation of smart metering. Chief Secretary Atal Duloo has scheduled a meeting on February 5, 2025, which will include the agenda item of “privatization of power distribution” among other power sector reforms. This meeting is set to cover several critical aspects impacting the power sector, including…

Omar Abdullah Advocates for Rapid Development of J&K Hydropower Infrastructure

January 24, 2025 Editor

At another event in Bari Brahmana area of Samba district, Omar asserted the importance of a land and its people in forging their identity and exhorted them to never let it go. Chief minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday asked Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDC) to assess the progress made in execution of new hydro- electric projects and the expected enhancement in power generation from these projects. During a meeting, Omar emphasised the need for timely execution of these projects to ensure their public utility and stressed…

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…

J&K Pushes for Special Package in Union Budget to Accelerate Development

January 20, 2025 Editor

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has already held a pre-budget consultation with J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah earlier this month Jammu & Kashmir has urged the central government to provide a special package for the Union territory in the upcoming budget, including Goods and Services Tax refunds for industrial units, interest subvention for capital expenditure and grants for infrastructure development to boost its economy, people familiar with the development said. J&K has been one of the focus areas in every budget over the last 10 years and the same is…

Banihal Bypass Completed: 4-Lane Traffic to Open Within 15 Days

January 5, 2025 Editor

Banihal Bypass completed, to open for 4-lane traffic within 15 days: Nitin Gadkari Srinagar, Jan 5: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has announced that the newly constructed 4-lane, 2.35 km bypass to Banihal town on the Ramban–Banihal section of the National Highway will be fully operational for 4-lane traffic within 15 days. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gadkari said: “In Jammu & Kashmir, we have successfully completed a 4-lane, 2.35 km bypass to Banihal town at an cost of ₹224.44 crore. Strategically located on…

Electric Engine Trial Run on Anji Khad Bridge Marks Milestone for J&K Railways

December 27, 2024December 27, 2024 Editor

Railways conducts trial run of electric engine on India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge in J&K The Railways on Wednesday said it has conducted a trial run of an electric engine on India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge, in Reasi district, paving the way for the start of rail services to Kashmir in January next year. “First electric engine rolling through Tunnel No. 1 and the Anji Khad Cable Bridge,” Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a post on X in which he shared a video clip of…

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…

Vande Bharat Trains to Connect Kashmir to Rest of India Soon: Minister Vaishnaw

October 20, 2023 Editor

Vande Bharat Trains to Arrive in Kashmir and Tripura Soon Vande Bharat trains, India’s semi-high speed trains, are expected to be introduced in Srinagar and Tripura within this financial year, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday. In Kashmir, Vande Bharat trains will run on the Jammu-Srinagar railway line, which is expected to be completed soon. In Tripura, Vande Bharat trains will run on the railway line once it is electrified. The government plans to roll out 75 Vande Bharat trains by March next year. It is also considering running…