Author: Agencies
RAMBAN; A large-scale desilting operation is currently in progress at the Baglihar Dam in Chanderkoot, Ramban, with authorities opening all spillway gates to flush out accumulated silt, water and wooden debris from the reservoir. The exercise, part of regular maintenance, aims to enhance the dam’s storage capacity and ensure smooth water discharge downstream. Following the opening of gates at the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project, a massive surge of muddy water carrying silt and driftwood was seen gushing into the Chenab River — indicating years of sediment build-up inside the reservoir. Officials said the operation will help maintain the dam’s efficiency…
JAMMU: Jammu Division is taking steady steps towards enhancing its revenue generation, particularly through non-fare revenue streams. In recent months, multi-purpose stalls at various railway stations have been allotted via e-auction, contributing notably to revenue growth and improved passenger amenities. Continuing this momentum, the division today successfully conducted an e-auction for advertising rights on five Railway Underbridges (RUBs). The winning bidder has been granted advertising rights for a period of three years, expected to generate approximately ₹44 lakh in non-fare revenue during this tenure. Railway Underbridges included in the auction: Speaking about the development, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Uchit Singhal,…
SRINAGAR: Night temperatures dropped below the freezing point across most parts of Kashmir, with several weather stations recording the coldest night of the season so far, official data shows. Pahalgam was the coldest in the Valley at –4.3°C, followed by Zethan Rafiabad at –4.1°C and Pulwama at –3.8°C.In Srinagar, the summer capital, the minimum temperature settled at –0.9°C, while Srinagar Airport recorded a sharper dip to –2.4°C. Other minimum temperatures across Kashmir were: A few stations stayed marginally above the freezing mark, including: Jammu and Ladakh Update Unlike the Valley, most parts of Jammu region recorded comparatively warmer nights, with…
GOA: In a tragic incident, a massive fire broke out at a nightclub in Arpora late last night, claiming at least 25 lives and injuring around 50 people, officials confirmed. The injured have been admitted to Goa Medical College and are undergoing treatment. Preliminary reports suggest that most deaths occurred due to suffocation caused by heavy smoke. Among the deceased, authorities have so far identified four tourists and 14 staff members, while the identities of seven others are still being verified to determine whether they were visitors or employees. The fire is believed to have started around 1 am, initially…
SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has written to the Chairman of the Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), requesting the postponement of the J&K Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination-2025, scheduled for Sunday, citing widespread travel disruptions and uncertainty over age relaxation. In his letter addressed to JKPSC Chairman Arun Kumar Choudhary, the Chief Minister highlighted the “extraordinary situation” faced by aspirants due to ongoing chaos caused by disruptions in air services and delays in the government’s decision on extending age relaxation — a provision granted several times in the past. “These factors have placed unprecedented mental and logistical stress on…
PULWAMA: Police on Saturday recovered incriminating material, including posters of a separatist outfit and banned literature, during a search operation in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. The search was conducted at a shop owned by Mohamed Amir Rather, a resident of Litter, Pulwama, on the basis of a search warrant issued by the NIA Court Pulwama under a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), a police spokesperson said. The operation was carried out in the presence of a magistrate and independent witnesses, ensuring transparency and adherence to procedural norms, officials added. During the search, police recovered posters of…
JAMMU: Jammu Sanskriti School, Jammu celebrated its annual event “विश्वं दीप्यमानम् – The Shining World”, themed around illumination, knowledge and the power of human potential. The Primary Wing (Classes 1–5) led the grand cultural celebration, reflecting the institution’s commitment to holistic learning and nurturing confident, compassionate and creative future leaders. The event highlighted the essence of विश्वं दीप्यमानम् — a reminder that even a spark of wisdom can brighten the world. Performances throughout the evening depicted global harmony, cultural vibrancy, environmental awareness, technological progress, empathy, and patriotism, resonating strongly with the theme of a brighter world. Dignitaries Grace the Occasion…
HYDERABAD: Jammu and Kashmir Tourism has bagged the Eco-Tourism Hotspot Award at the ongoing India International Tourism Mart (IITM) in Hyderabad, recognizing its sustainable tourism initiatives and eco-friendly development across the Union Territory. The three-day tourism festival, inaugurated on December 04, 2025, is hosting participation from several states and Union Territories along with international delegations from Malaysia, Nepal, Botswana and other countries, making it a major platform for tourism promotion and collaboration. The award reflects J&K Tourism’s growing emphasis on eco-tourism, conservation-driven tourism development, and its recent series of promotional campaigns across travel circuits in the country. The J&K Tourism…
JAMMU: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Friday chaired a high-level inter-departmental meeting with the Forest and Agriculture Production Departments, along with CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) Jammu, to chart out a holistic strategy for commercial cultivation and large-scale promotion of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) across Jammu and Kashmir. While reviewing the sector’s current performance, the Chief Secretary noted that J&K generates only around ₹12 crore annually from MAPs — far below its potential, with national estimates pegging the sector at ₹10,000 crore and the global market at ₹2 lakh crore. He stressed the need for a scientifically driven,…
KATRA: A 75-year-old woman from Anantnag, who had been battling severe neck pain and progressive weakness in both arms, is walking again after undergoing a high-risk cervical spine surgery at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Katra. For months, daily activities had become nearly impossible for the patient. Multiple medical centres reportedly declined to operate, fearing that a cervical intervention at her age could lead to paralysis. With options running out, her family travelled to Katra for a final expert opinion. A detailed evaluation revealed severe compression of the cervical spinal cord, the reason behind her deteriorating condition. The…