Three Bills and a Public Campaign: Why the Valley is Seeing Growing Calls for a Liquor Ban Srinagar 01 March 2025: Ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s Budget Session starting on March 3, calls for a liquor ban have been growing stronger in the Union Territory. This movement is driven by concerns over rising drug addiction and social media posts showing apparently drunk tourists, which have added to the public’s worries. However, the debate is complex, as the region also benefits from rising revenues from excise and tourism. Bills…
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Snow and Showers Revive Kashmir’s Winter Charm; Water Bodies Rejuvenates
Snow and Showers Revive Kashmir’s Winter Charm: A Comprehensive Overview Srinagar 28 Feb 2025: After an extended dry spell that left Jammu and Kashmir grappling with a severe precipitation deficit, the recent wet spell has provided some much-needed relief. The overall shortfall has been reduced from 80 percent to 65 percent, thanks to the recent snow and rainfall. This revival of winter weather has brought hope to various sectors, including agriculture and tourism, while also presenting challenges. Meteorological Department Forecast: The latest forecast from the Meteorological Department indicates further improvements.…
Read MoreGulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam Receive Fresh Snowfall, Delight Tourists
Tourist Destinations in Kashmir Receive Fresh Snowfall, Bringing Joy to Visitors Srinagar 28 Feb 2025: Kashmir, often referred to as “Paradise on Earth,” is a mesmerizing land of breathtaking landscapes, picturesque valleys, and majestic snow-covered mountains. This winter, the region’s beauty has been further enhanced by fresh snowfall in its higher reaches, transforming it into a winter wonderland and attracting visitors from around the globe. A Blanket of Snow Transforms Kashmir On Thursday, Kashmir’s higher altitudes received moderate to heavy snowfall, draping the valleys in pristine white and amplifying the…
Read MoreSnowfall and Rain Forecast for Kashmir: Travel and Agricultural Advisory Issued
Fresh Snow in Higher Reaches of Valley, Gondola Services Suspended in Gulmarg Srinagar, February 26, 2025 – The weather in Kashmir continues to remain wet, with moderate snowfall recorded in the higher reaches and rainfall across most of the plains. Authorities have suspended gondola services at the famous tourist resort of Gulmarg for the day due to the inclement weather. Snowfall and Weather Forecast Director of Met Srinagar, Mukhtar Ahmed, reported that the upper reaches of the Valley experienced fresh snowfall on Wednesday, with “moderate to heavy” snowfall in some…
Read MoreKashmir’s Air Connectivity Crisis: High Airfares Impact Residents and Tourists
Kashmir Airfares Hit Record Highs, Wallets Crash: A Deep Dive into the Crisis By: Javid Amin Srinagar, February 23, 2025 – Kashmir’s air connectivity crisis has worsened as airfare prices soar to record highs, surpassing even international travel costs. This trend has drawn criticism from parliamentary committees, business leaders, and affected travelers. As flights become increasingly unaffordable, local economies, tourism, and ordinary citizens bear the brunt of this crisis. Skyrocketing Airfare Prices: The Harsh Reality For travelers heading to Kashmir, flight costs have surged dramatically: Delhi to Srinagar: Rs 12,000…
Read MoreTourists Flock to Dal Lake for Shikara Rides and Houseboat Stays
Surge in Tourist Influx at Dal Lake Srinagar, February 22, 2025 – The iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar is witnessing a significant surge in tourist footfall. Travellers from across the country and beyond are flocking to experience its enchanting charm. Tourists are enjoying shikara rides to explore the inner parts of Dal Lake. The rise in tourism is boosting local businesses, benefiting houseboat owners, shikara operators, and handicraft sellers. Cozy houseboats, with their intricate woodwork and charming interiors, provide visitors with a memorable stay, while shikara operators guide them through the lake’s…
Read MoreSrinagar MP Ruhullah Mehdi Slams Kashmir Police for Removing Anti-Alcohol Hoardings
Srinagar MP Ruhullah Mehdi Slams Kashmir Police for Removing Anti-Alcohol Hoardings Srinagar, February 22, 2025 – In a recent development, Srinagar MP and National Conference leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has criticized the Jammu and Kashmir police for removing anti-alcohol hoardings in Srinagar. The hoardings, which were put up by traders in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk, urged tourists to refrain from consuming liquor and drugs, promoting responsible tourism and respect for local culture. The Controversy The controversy began when the police reportedly removed signboards and standees placed by…
Read MorePDP Calls Road Connectivity to Amarnath Cave Shrine ‘Biggest Crime’
The widening of the road from Dumail to the Amarnath cave via Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir has been completed. Marking a significant milestone, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has expanded the road connectivity to the holy shrine of Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir, making the holy cave been accessible by motorable road. In a move expected to make the pilgrimage more comfortable and accessible for devotees, the widening of the road from Dumail to the Amarnath cave via Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district of…
Read MoreSnowfall brings early winter to Kashmir, drawing tourists from all over the world
The onset of winter with fresh snowfall in the upper reaches of Kashmir Valley for the last two days has forced people to take out warm clothes and start using heating devices to avoid the cold. With winter arriving early in Kashmir due to snowfall, there is a wave of happiness among the tourists. Hundreds of tourists have reached Gulmarg-Sonmarg to see the snowfall and enjoy the weather. Tourists were surprised by the amazing snowfall in Sonamarg and Gulmarg. One of the tourists Nisha said, “We have come to Kashmir,…
Read MoreWidespread rain and snowfall likely in J&K from tomorrow
The J&K office of MeT said that the weather was mainly clear on Thursday but will become cloudy towards Friday evening with possibility of rain and snowfall over higher reaches during the night at scattered places of J&K Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir will be hit by consecutive Western Disturbances which will bring widespread rains and snowfall between October 14 and 18, the MeT department said on Thursday. The J&K office of MeT said that the weather was mainly clear on Thursday but will become cloudy towards Friday evening with possibility…
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