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Jammu: In a major push to transform Kashmir's economic landscape by linking its fruit industry and parcel trade with national markets, Northern Railway's Jammu Division held a stakeholder meeting to boost rail-based parcel movement from the Valley, officials said on Saturday. The meeting, held in Srinagar on Friday, aimed at formulating a roadmap to augment parcel traffic from the Kashmir region by positioning rail as a reliable, time-bound and cost-effective alternative to road transport, they said. It was chaired by an Additional Member (Commercial) of the Railway Board. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu, Uchit Singhal, along with parcel traders from Kashmir, prominent fruit growers, and key cargo aggregators attended the meeting. According to officials, the main objective of the meeting was to formulate a robust roadmap for increasing parcel traffic originating from Kashmir. Detailed discussions were held, specifically focusing on establishing the rail route as a more reliable, time-bound, and cost-effective alternative to road transport for the movement of cherries and other fruit produce, officials said. They said the key points and strategic decisions were deliberated upon, including strategies to increase the occupancy of the JPP-RCS (Joint Parcel Product-Rapid Cargo Service) parcel train. This train departs from Badgam in central Kashmir at 6.15 am, travelling via Bari Brahmana and Ambala cantonment before reaching Adarsh Nagar in Delhi at 5.30 am the following day, ensuring traders receive timely delivery of goods.

Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 7 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Minister Satish Sharma on Friday said that the railway bridge over the Chenab river, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was a long-pending project and demand. The Minister said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are development-oriented and that the much-awaited project would boost tourism. Speaking to ANI about the Chenab rail bridge inauguration, Sharma said a day earlier, 'Today, the Kashmir valley has been connected with the rest of the nation. This was a long-pending project and demand. I congratulate Prime M ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Axiom-4 crew members, including Shubhanshu Shukla, were welcomed with hugs and drinks as they stepped into the International Space Station on Thursday. The newly launched spacecraft -- the fifth in the Dragon series and named Grace -- successfully completed a soft docking with the International Space Station at 4.01pm while orbiting above the North Atlantic Ocean."At 6:31 am EDT (4:01 IST) on Thursday, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4," the National Aeronautics ...Read More >

Jammu, Jun 28 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Saturday reviewed the security arrangements and administrative preparedness for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra and impressed upon the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and proactive measures to mitigate risks and ensure the pilgrims' safety and security. He also directed officers to enhance surveillance and threat detection capabilities by utilizing advanced technologies and real-time monitoring. To take stock of the security arrangements and administrative preparedness for the upcom ...Read More >

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 7 (ANI): The inaugural ride of the Vande Bharat Express between Srinagar and Katra has drawn praise from passengers, many of whom described the new service as offering 'unmatched convenience,' making travel 'much easier', 'possible and comfortable,' while hailing it as a 'great move by the government' to connect Kashmir with the rest of India. Tourists and locals alike hailed the launch as a historic moment, saying it would not only cut down travel time but also boost tourism and make Kashmir more accessible. Speaking to ANI, Ashok Kumar Khajanchi, ...Read More >

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a special national integration camp organised by the Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh NCC Directorate here, Abdullah also lauded the sanctioning of several projects for the UT. "Let there be discussions, it is a good thing. But we would want the discussions to conclude soon and that we get what we are demanding," he said. Welcoming the sanctioning of several projects for Jammu and Kashmir, including tunnels, costing ₹10,600 crore, the CM said these projects wi ...Read More >

Srinagar- Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday lauded the role of National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets during Operation Sindoor, calling their contributions a shining example of selfless service and commitment to the nation. Speaking at the Special National Integration Camp at Chinar Auditorium, Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar, the LG said the cadets "rose to the occasion during difficult times," referring to their active participation in relief efforts during Operation Sindoor. "Beyond their selfless service in relief camps across border districts, they also proactively organized blo ...Read More >

VISAKHAPATNAM: Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar inaugurated Andhra Pradesh's first Super ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) compliant building at Sagar Nagar in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Terming it a landmark in sustainable infrastructure, he emphasised the government's commitment to energy efficiency and green design in public facilities. The facility will serve as a national-level training hub for power sector staff. He urged power utilities to expedite 20 lakh rooftop solar connections, targeting 10,000 in each Assembly segment. He reaffirmed nine-hour uninterrupted power for agri ...Read More >

Srinagar, Jun 30: A persistent and intensifying heatwave continues to grip Kashmir, pushing temperatures well above seasonal norms and leaving the people sweltering with little immediate relief expected. According to the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, Monday saw unusually high maximum temperatures across several key locations in Kashmir. Srinagar recorded a scorching 34.5 degrees Celsius, nearly 5 degrees Celsius above the normal temperature. Qazigund wasnít far behind at 33.6 degrees Celsius, registering an alarming 6.1 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average. Pahalgam, typically know ...Read More >

KOZHIKODE: A woman from Palakkad who recently tested positive for Nipah virus, remains in critical condition at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital. She is currently receiving critical care in the hospital's specialised Nipah isolation unit. The patient was initially admitted to a private medical facility in Perinthalmanna. However, late on Saturday night, due to a significant deterioration in her health, she was transferred to the Kozhikode Medical College. Her symptoms, consistent with a severe viral infection, first appeared on July 1, prompting her to seek medical attention. ...Read More >

New Delhi, June 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a major boost to connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, regular services of the Vande Bharat Express between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra commence on Saturday. The Northern Railway has confirmed that the semi-high-speed trains will operate six days a week, significantly reducing the travel time between Kashmir Valley and the prominent pilgrimage hub in Katra. This development marks a transformative step in the region's transport infrastructure. The new Vande Bharat service will cut the travel time between Srinagar and Katra to just three hours, ...Read More >

The Congress party plans to increase efforts to restore statehood in Jammu and Kashmir, criticizing the BJP-led central government for delays. Syed Naseer Hussain emphasizes grassroots strengthening ahead of elections, urging continued efforts for representation and readiness for overdue local polls. Amid growing political tensions, the Congress party is set to escalate its campaign for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. In a pointed critique of the BJP-led government, Syed Nasee ...Read More >

Jammu, Jun 28 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Saturday reviewed the security arrangements and administrative preparedness for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra and impressed upon the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and proactive measures to mitigate risks and ensure the pilgrims' safety and security. He also directed officers to enhance surveillance and threat detection capabilities by utilizing advanced technologies and real-time monitoring. Also Read | Long-Awaited Relief for Retired Government Employees? 8th Pay Commission May ...Read More >
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that nearly five lakh homeless individuals in Jammu and Kashmir will soon receive housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. With Chief Minister Omar Abdullah present, Chouhan highlighted the near completion of existing allotments and plans for verification of newly identified beneficiaries. SRINAGAR: With chief minister Omar Abdullah sitting next to him, Union minister for agriculture and rural development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday said ...Read More >

Jammu, Jul 7 (PTI) Amid a multi-tier security cover, more than 8,600 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu early Monday to join the annual Amarnath pilgrimage in the Himalayas, officials said. More than 70,000 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine located at a height of 3,880 metres since the start of the 38-day yatra, which commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in the Anantnag district and Baltal in the Ganderbal district on July 3. The sixth batch of 8,605 pilgrims -- 6,486 men, 1,826 women, 42 children, and 251 sadhus and sadhvis -- left the Bhagwati Naga ...Read More >

Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 5 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Jitendra Singh inspected the Katra railway station and the Vande Bharat train on Thursday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on June 6. PM Modi will flag off the first Vande Bharat train to Kashmir on Friday. CM Omar Abdullah said, 'If I tell you that I have been waiting for this moment for a long time, it will still not be enough. This rail project began when I was in the 7th or 8th class. Now, even my children have started working after completing school and college ...Read More >

Jammu, Jun 7 (PTI) The Northern Railways on Saturday commenced commercial operations of Vande Bharat trains between Katra and Srinagar, officials said. The Vande Bharat express train, which was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Katra on June 6, connects Kashmir with the rest of the country through rail. Passengers who boarded the trains from Katra to Baramulla, or vice versa, expressed immense enthusiasm, with many stating they had eagerly awaited the opportunity to travel to Kashmir by train. The first day of commercial operations went smoothly, as the trains reached their d ...Read More >

Srinagar, June 26: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday expressed hope that ongoing discussions on the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would yield a positive outcome, saying the people of the Union Territory are looking forward to the return of their identity and dignity. "We want the discussions to conclude soon and bring the outcome the people of Jammu and Kashmir desire," Omar said while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a National Cadet Corps (NCC) event at BadamiBagh Cantonment, Srinagar. He stressed that the demand for statehood is not merely political but a q ...Read More >

Srinagar, June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday visited the special national integration camp (SNIC) 2025 at the Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar and said that the strength of India lies in its unity in diversity and this unity in diversity is truly seen at camps like the SNIC 2025. A Defence Ministry statement said: "The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, visited the Special National Integration Camp (SNIC) 2025 at Badami Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar. "The camp, organised by JK&L Directorate under the leadership of ADG, Maj Gen Anupi ...Read More >

Srinagar: With the annual Amarnath Yatra set to commence on July 3, Director General of Police (DGP) Jammu and Kashmir, Nalin Prabhat has directed all security agencies to take proactive and preventive measures to counter any potential threats. He emphasised strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and robust coordination among forces to ensure a peaceful and safe pilgrimage. Chairing a high-level security review meeting in Jammu, DGP Prabhat said dismantling terror networks and maintaining a vigilant security grid throughout the 38-day pilgrimage was a top priority. "We must ...Read More >

Jammu, July 2 (UNI) More than 5500 pilgrims chanting 'Bam Bam Bhole' today morning left for Shri Amarnath Cave Shrine situated in Anantnag district of Kashmir here from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas base camp. The yatra was flagged off by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in the presence of senior administrative and police officials and the members of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. Officials said that a total of 5892 pilgrims this morning left in a fleet of 310 vehicles comprising light motor vehicles and heavy motor vehicles for the twin Pahalgam and Baltal routes. For Pahalgam, 2489 pilgr ...Read More >

Officials say the train will help the troubled region, but many Kashmiris see it as a tool to entrench the Indian government's control. After decades of highly complex engineering work and billions of dollars in investment, India has finally connected the Himalayan region of Kashmir by rail to the rest of the country. The train link, which was officially inaugurated on Friday, fulfilled a dream dating back to the British colonial era. Indian officials called it a transformative leap for the res ...Read More >

NEW DELHI (AP) -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated one of the most ambitious railway projects ever built in India, which will connect the Kashmir Valley to the vast Indian plains by train for the first time. Dubbed by government-operated Indian Railways as one of the most challenging tracks in the world, the 272-kilometer (169-mile) line begins in the garrison city of Udhampur in Jammu region and runs through Indian-controlled Kashmir's main city of Srinagar. The line ends in Baramulla, a town near the highly militarized Line of Control dividing the Himalayan region between ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...Read More >

Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 7 (ANI): The first Vande Bharat Express train on the Katra-Srinagar route began its journey on Saturday morning, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged it off from Katra Railway Station. Passengers were seen gathering excitedly to board the train for the inaugural ride. Also Read | Bihar Police Constable Recruitment 2025: CSBC Rejects 33,042 Applications for Post of Police Constable, Know Reasons Here. Sheetal, one of the passengers, told ANI, " It's a great thrill and will be a good experience for us that Modi ji paved the way for us to vis ...Read More >

Amarnath Yatra: Over 1.28 lakh perform pilgrimage, fresh batch of 7,307 leaves for Kashmir Srinagar: Over 1.28 lakh pilgrims performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra during the last seven days as another batch of 7,307 pilgrims left for Kashmir from Jammu on Thursday. The batch of 7,307 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys for the Valley. "First escorted convoy of 137 vehicles carrying 3,081 Yatris left at 3.15 a.m. for Baltal base camp while the second escorted convoy of 147 vehicles carrying 4,226 Yatris left at 3.58 a.m. for Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp," officials sa ...Read More >

Srinagar, June 27: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha interacted with National Cadet Corps (NCC) Cadets at the Special National Integration Camp, today at Badami Bagh Cantonment here. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO In his address, Sinha commended the NCC Directorate, J&K and Ladakh, Headquarters 15 Corps and Headquarters 31 Sub Area for organising Special National Integration Camp to provide an opportunity to expose youth from various parts of the country to the rich culture and traditions of J&K and present inspiring example of unity in diversity. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp "N ...Read More >

Srinagar, June 28 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) will kickstart the Kashmir leg of its political movement 'Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq' from south Kashmir's Kulgam district today. The campaign, aimed at advocating the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, has already completed its first phase in the Jammu region. A party spokesman said J&K Congress president Tariq Karra and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and AICC general secretary GA Mir will address a party workers' convention at Chawalgam in Kulgam, formally launching the campaign in Kas ...Read More >

Srinagar: Schools in Kashmir reopened on Tuesday after two weeks of summer vacation as heavy rains on Monday ended the prolonged heatwave in the valley. The schools opened amidst criticism of the government's decision to advance the school timing to 7.30 am. The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday decided against extending the summer vacations despite no signs of heatwave abating in the valley. However, within a couple of hours of the announcement, heavy rains lashed the valley and the temperature came down to normal levels across Kashmir. Some parents were critical of the new schedule ...Read More >

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 7 (ANI): A couple celebrated their son's sixth birthday on the inaugural ride of the Vande Bharat Express between Srinagar and Katra. The couple thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making it possible. The visuals showed the boy cutting a cake with his family, celebrating his sixth birthday while crossing the world's highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab River. The boy's father, Rakesh Jaiswal, told ANI they are from Varanasi. He said, 'We knew PM Modi was set to inaugurate (Vande Bharat Express), so we thought we should celebrate our son' ...Read More >

Jammu, Jun 27 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir administration has made arrangements to house over 50,000 pilgrims in various lodgement centres across the Jammu region for their comfortable pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in the South Kashmir Himalayas beginning July 3, officials said. The 38-day-long Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to start on July 3 from the twin routes -- the traditional 48-kilometre Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14-kilometre Baltal route in Ganderbal district -- leading to the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine. The first batch of pil ...Read More >