SRINAGAR: In order to streamline ever-increasing vehicular movement in summer capital, Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani, today directed Traffic Department, SMC and SDA to immediately operationalize 56 bus bays and 6 parking lots which have been identified at different spots.

The R&B Department is constructing 15 out of the 56 identified bus- bays in Srinagar city. The rest will be constructed by SMC and 35 of these will be ready by June this year.

Srinagar, March 25 -In order to discourage the use of tobacco products, the authorities have declared educational institutes of the summer capital of the state as “tobacco-free” zones. During a sensitisation programme on “Tobacco Control Laws and Measures” that was organised by the J&K Voluntary Health Association (JKVHA) here yesterday, the Chief Education Officer, Srinagar, banned the sale and consumption of tobacco products within 100 yards of any educational institution that fell under the jurisdiction of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).

J&K gets bridge factory, Institute for Tunnel & Bridge Engineering, Train to reach Katra, Banihal in upcoming financial year
Udhampur-Rohila Express converted into tri-weekly

Railways Minister Dinesh Trivedi said today that prestigious rail project to Kashmir valley was likely to be delayed for want of adequate funding as he pointed out that Railways was passing through financial crunch and a very tough period.

JAMMU: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today gave nod for seeking Asian Development Bank (ADB) assistance for launch of prestigious 450 Million Litre Per Day (MLD) drinking water supply scheme from Chenab river to cater to needs of greater Jammu city.

"A DPR based on ground realities should be prepared as early as possible", the Chief Minister said asking ERA to approach the ADB for funding the project likely to cost about ` 895 crores in two phases to cater to the drinking water needs of projected population of 19.19 lakh of greater Jammu in 2026 and 31.96 lakh in 2041.

In picturesque Pahalgam, tucked in the sub-Himalayan ranges near the confluence of Sheshnag and Aru streams, villagers are fighting to safeguard an eco-sensitive region from a controversial Master Plan that is fast turning the tourist hotspot into a concrete jungle.
Pahalgam

Fragile landscape Pahalgam is losing its lush forests due to the mushrooming of hotels in the tourist hotspot

After brief respite from the intense cold, mercury in most parts of Jammu and Kashmir plunged below the freezing point once again as the summer Capital Srinagar recorded the coldest night of the season.

The minimum temperature recorded in Srinagar on Monday morning was minus 3.2 degrees Celsius — two degrees below normal during this part of the season, a Meteorological Department spokesperson told PTI here.

SRINAGAR: The Government is contemplating to bring new tourist resorts on world tourism map to ease the tourist rush at known tourist spots of the State, revealed Tourism and Culture Minister, Nawang Rigzin Jora at the inaugural function of 12th Annual Environment and CSR Global Conference held at SKICC Srinagar today.

SRINAGAR: Minister for Forests and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmad today stressed the need for preservation of forest wealth which is must for environment and ecology.

*Funding for Bikram Chowk flyover shortly
JAMMU: A joint high level team of Union Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) is arriving here on October 7 for two day visit during which preparedness for the start of work on Bikram Chowk flyover would be reviewed. Keeping in view the present pace of resettlement process relating to the private properties coming in the proposed alignment of the flyover, it is likely that funds for the project would be released shortly under the Tranche-II of loan.

SRINAGAR: Maintaining that the State under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is marching fast towards a golden era of development and prosperity, the Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, A. R.