Strengthening Policymaker-Technocrat Ties to Boost Efficiency: Deputy CM Surinder Chowdhary’s Vision for Progress

Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Chowdhary

Underscoring the significance of forging stronger ties between policymakers and technocrats, Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Chowdhary, said that this is imperative to bolster efficiency, service delivery and effective implementation of development initiatives.

The Deputy Chief Minister stated this while addressing the officers and officials during his visit to Mechanical Engineering Division, Shalteng

During the visit, he reviewed the functioning of Provincial Snow Clearance Control Room, inspected machinery fleet and assessed readiness of men and machinery for ongoing snow clearances operations.

On the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister inaugurated the newly procured state-of-the-art Spider Excavator, a highly advanced equipment set to revolutionise department’s operational capabilities.

The Deputy CM emphasized the critical role of integrating policy decisions with technical expertise to optimize the department’s functioning. He pointed out that robust collaboration between engineers and policymakers is essential for designing and executing infrastructure projects that cater to the region’s current and future needs.

A detailed discussion was held on the challenges faced by the department including resource management, project delays, and the adoption of modern technologies. Opportunities to enhance efficiency through digital tools, innovation and skill enhancement were also explored.

Surinder Chowdhary highlighted the importance of maintaining a continuous dialogue between government officials and engineers. This, he noted, would bridge existing gaps and pave the way for more responsive and effective governance.

Present in the meeting were senior officials including Chief Engineer Mechanical Engineering Department, Superintendent Engineers and Executive Engineers.

They provided a detailed briefing on the department’s ongoing and upcoming projects, operational challenges and the support needed from the administration to address bottlenecks effectively.

The Deputy Chief Minister, while commending the department for its efforts, assured them of administration’s full support in overcoming challenges and implementing innovative solutions. He reiterated government’s vision of prioritising infrastructure development as a cornerstone for regional progress and economic growth.

Later, Surinder Chowdhary unveiled the annual calendar 2025 of JK Mechanical Engineering Graduates Association (JKMEGA).

JKPCC Chief Tariq Karra Urges Defense of India’s Unity Against BJP-RSS

tariq

JKPCC Chief Tariq Hameed Karra has asked the Ex-Corporators & last contested candidates of the party of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), to defend the basic idea of India, which is under attack by BJP -RSS combine in present times more vigorously than ever before .

Addressing the Ex-corporators and contested candidate of Jammu Municipal Corporation here today JKPCC chief said that the congress philosophy is based on the basic idea of India and the Constitution, which believes in unity in diversity. The basic idea of India is under attack by BJP -RSS combine & other communal & divisive forces which is dangerous for the unity of pluralistic India.

PCC chief today held a day long interaction with the ex-corporators and contested candidates of Jammu Municipal Corporation. PCC president took the feedback about the organizational affairs & party structure at the grass root level.

He listened to the views of Ex-corporators/contested candidates and asked them to strengthen congress party in their respective wards. He advised them to listen the problems of people and bring these problems to the notice of senior leadership of the party and the administration for redressal.

He said that it is the prime duty of Congress party & its workers in every nook & corner of the country to counter the fake & false propaganda of the BJP-RSS against basic idea of India & against secular ideology always promoted by our leadership.

He said that the Congress philosophy is based on the basic idea of India which believes in unity in diversity as propounded by our great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Moulana Azad & Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar. He asked the party leaders and workers to get ready for intensifying our struggle for restoration of statehood, which is the right of people of J&K

Those who attended the meeting include Kanta Bhan, Bhanu Mahajan, Satish Sharma, Narinder Gupta, Dwarka Choudhary , Kamal Singh Jamwal, Rajinder Singh Jamwal, Rajesh Sharma, Pritam Singh, Kulbushan Sharma, Dewan Chand, Rashpal Bhardwaj, Surinder Singh Dutta, Som Raj, Hoshiyar Singh, Sunil Kumar, Rajesh Paul, Shashi Kumar, Paramjeet Singh and others.

Katra-Srinagar Train to Begin Service on Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link After January 20

Katra-Srinagar train

The Katra-Srinagar train is likely to chug on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) after January 20.Officials told that final preparations are being made to connect Kashmir with Kanyakumari through a railway network.

In connection with train to Kashmir the Railway Ministry has decided to set up a new division with headquarters at Jammu under the Northern Railway Zone by reorganising the Firozpur division.

The Jammu division, according to the officials, is proposed to have five sections — Pathankot-Jammu-Udhampur, Srinagar-Baramulla, Bhogpur Sirwal-Pathankot, Batala (excluding)-Pathankot, and Pathankot-Joginder Nagar. The combined length of the section will be 742.1 km.

According to railway officials, there are currently 68 rail divisions under 17 railway zones and Jammu will become the 69th division.Meanwhile, Northern Railway on Friday announced train timings for the Katra-Srinagar route.

According to the timing schedule, the Vande Bharat Express train will depart from Katra at 8.10 a.m. and arrive in Srinagar at 11.20 a.m.Mail Express will run twice every day from Katra — departure at 9.50 a.m. and arrival in Srinagar at 1.10 pm; departure at 3.00 p.m. and arrival in Srinagar at 6.20 pm

Train timings from Srinagar to Katra for the Mail Express: departure from Srinagar at 8.55 am and arrival in Katra at 12.05 pm The second run will be at 3:10 pm and arrival in Katra is at 6:30 pm.

Vande Bharat will depart from Srinagar at 12.45 p.m. and arrive in Katra at 3.55 pmThe Vande Bharat train will start at 7 pm from Delhi and arrive in Srinagar at 8 am—(KNO)

Al-Tilmeez Research International Journal at a Crossroads, The End of Registered Book Post Service Sparks Major Challenges: Dr. Meraj Nadvi

Dr Meraj U Deen Nadwi

The recent discontinuation of the Department of Posts’ decades-old “Registered Book Post” service on December 18 has significant implications for many organizations, including Al-Tilmeez. This service was crucial for the economical shipping of printed materials, particularly books and academic journals, across India. With its abrupt end, the team at Al-Tilmeez now faces increased challenges and costs associated with shipping copies of the Al-Tilmeez research journal.

Historically, the Registered Book Post service enabled publishers, educational institutions, and researchers to distribute their works at nominal delivery charges. It provided a reliable and affordable means for the dissemination of knowledge, especially for those in remote areas. The decision to discontinue this service not only disrupts the logistical framework for many but also raises concerns about accessibility to academic resources.

For the Al-Tilmeez team, the impact is twofold. Firstly, there will be a direct increase in shipping costs, which may lead to higher subscription prices for readers and institutions. This could potentially limit the reach of the journal, especially among those who rely on affordable access to academic materials. Secondly, the logistical challenges associated with finding alternative shipping methods could lead to delays in publication and distribution, affecting the timely sharing of research findings with the community.

The discontinuation of this service highlights the need for alternative solutions to ensure the continued availability of academic resources. As Al-Tilmeez adapts to this new reality, exploring partnerships with other courier services or investing in digital distribution channels may be necessary steps to mitigate the impact on its operations and readership.

In conclusion, while the end of the Registered Book Post service marks a significant shift in the landscape of book and journal distribution in India, it also presents an opportunity for innovation and adaptation. The Al-Tilmeez team must navigate these changes thoughtfully to continue fulfilling its mission of disseminating valuable research to its audience.

BJP Youth Leader Kanav Sharma Shot Over Parking Dispute in Jammu

Kanav Sharma

A BJP youth leader was shot at following an altercation over a parking issue here on Friday, police said.

Kanav Sharma, the district president of the BJP Yuva Morcha, Jammu, suffered a bullet injury and was hospitalised. His condition is stable, his father, senior advocate Chander Mohan Sharma told the media.

Kanav, who has been actively engaged in an anti-drug campaign in Jammu, was parking his vehicle near his house in the New Plot area when some people objected to it and an argument broke out.

“One of them took out a revolver and fired two rounds, one of which hit Kanav,” Sharma said.Police have seized a bike belonging to one of the accused and are making efforts to track down the people involved in the shooting, officials said.

High-Level Meeting on Urban Development in Srinagar,Commissioner SMC Dr. Owais Ahmed Reviews Progress of Projects

Dr. Owais Ahmed

In a significant step towards enhancing urban development in Srinagar, Commissioner SMC Dr. Owais Ahmed chaired a high-level review meeting today to evaluate the progress of various projects undertaken by the SMC and Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL).

The meeting was attended by the senior officials from both organizations, who provided comprehensive updates on their respective projects, addressing timelines, challenges, and achievements.

Dr. Owais emphasized the importance of these initiatives in improving urban infrastructure and the overall quality of life for Srinagar’s residents.

Key projects discussed included road improvements, advancements in water management, civil and electrical works, enhancements in waste management systems, and innovative smart city initiatives designed to integrate technology into public services.

“Timely execution is crucial for the success of our ongoing projects,” Dr. Owais remarked. “Our vision is to ensure sustainable development in Srinagar, with measurable benefits reaching every citizen. I encourage all teams to identify obstacles and collaborate on effective solutions.”

The Commissioner also stressed the need for adopting innovative strategies and global best practices to improve project efficiency and delivery. He underscored the importance of regular follow-ups and detailed progress reports to maintain accountability and transparency in project management.

As the meeting concluded, Dr. Owais expressed confidence that with coordinated and focused efforts, the SMC and SSCL could drive transformative changes, positioning Srinagar as a model urban center.

Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains Hit 180 km/hr in Successful Trials: Union minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnav

Vande Bharat Sleeper trains

With a speed of up to 180 kilometres per hour, the Vande Bharat sleeper trains will soon run on tracks to give commuters a world-class travel experience.

Sharing a video of the successful trial of the Vande Bharat sleeper train in the Kota division, Union minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnav mentioned the speed of the train on social media “X”.

“The Vande Bharat sleeper train has achieved a peak speed of 180 km per hour in its multiple trials in the last three days. The trails will continue till this month end before this world class travel for long distance travel is made available to the rail commuters across the nation.” Mentioned the minister

The video posted by the minister shows a nearly full to brim glass of water adjacent to a mobile on a plain surface inside a Vande Bharat sleeper train. The Water level remaining static can be seen in the video as the moving train achieves near constant peak speed of 180 km per hour exhibiting the element of comfort in the high-speed rail travel.

The post came after 3 days of successful trials, which concluded on 2nd January, in which a Vande Bharat sleeper train in its loaded condition touched the peak speed.

On Thursday, during a 30 km long run between Kota & Laban in Bundi district of Rajasthan, the train reached a peak speed of 180 km/hour. A day earlier, on the first day of 2025, in a 40 km long trial run between Rohal Khurd to Kota, Vande Bharat sleeper train touched the peak of 180 km per hour.

On the same day, peaks of 170 km/hr and 160km/hr were achieved on Kota-Nagda and Rohal Khurd-Chau Mahla sections. These trials will continue for the month of January before the commercial launch of the train.

Once these trials are over, the train will be evaluated by the Railway Safety Commissioner at the maximum speed. Only after passing the final stage, Vande Bharat trains will be officially certified & handed over to Indian Railways for induction & regular service.

These Vande Bharat sleeper trains are designed with features like automatic doors, ultra comfortable berths, on board WiFi & an aircraft-like design.

Passengers in India are already enjoying reclining seats and world-class travel experience through 136 Vande Bharat trains running across the country on medium and short distances.

The Vande Bharat sleeper trains is expected to be launched later this for long haul journeys. (ANI)

NIA Attaches Property of Mohammad Akbar Dar in Halpora Anantnag,South Kashmir

NIA

National Investigation Agency on Friday attached 19 Marlas of land in connection with case of Kokernag Encounter in Halpora area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Officials said that today morning NIA team along with police and CRPF attached property of 19 Marlas at Halpora belonging to Mohammad Akbar Dar resident of Halpora Kokernag.

The property has been attached in connection with a case of Kokernag Gunfight. (GNS)

Omar Abdullah Assures Preparedness for Upcoming Snowfall, Addresses Power Cuts and J&K Name Change Rumors

Omar Abdullah speaks to media over Parliament jostling issue

Main Points of Omarabdullahs Statement

  1. Omar Abdullah Assures Readiness for Upcoming Snowfall
    • J&K CM confirms government preparedness for predicted snowfall from tomorrow.
  2. Learning from Previous Snowfall Experience
    • Omar Abdullah emphasizes improving response based on lessons from the last snow spell.
  3. Addressing Electricity Supply Concerns
    • CM acknowledges power cuts but assures better electricity management this year.
  4. Efforts to Ensure Timely Power Restoration
    • Omar vows prompt action to fix faults and provide power as per schedule.
  5. No Proposal to Change J&K’s Name
    • CM dismisses rumors about renaming Jammu and Kashmir, asserting no such proposal exists.
  6. Government’s Stance on Article 370 Abrogation
    • Omar refrains from commenting on claims that J&K’s situation has improved post-Article 370.
  7. Improved Power Situation This Year
    • CM highlights better power scenario compared to previous years, despite occasional outages.
  8. Commitment to Rectifying Power System Failures
    • Omar ensures that all efforts will be made to resolve electricity disruptions swiftly.
  9. Omar Abdullah Responds to Public Queries
    • The CM addresses the media on snowfall preparations, power issues, and rumors about J&K.
  10. Government’s Proactive Approach to Weather Challenges
  • J&K government remains vigilant and proactive in handling weather vagaries during winter season.

In wake of the prediction that Jammu and Kashmir may receive yet another spell of major snowfall from tomorrow, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that the government is ready to tackle the weather vagaries.

Talking to the reporters, Omar Abdullah  said, “The last spell of snow has provided us with an experience. Wherever the work was good it will be repeated and wherever there were acunas that will be taken care of this time.”

Replying to a query about the prevailing electricity scenario, Omar said, “This year’s situation is better than the previous years, but power cuts take place, we are trying to provide the electricity as per schedule. Whenever a system develops any snag, every attempt is made to rectify the fault at the earliest.”

Asked about the reports that the name of Jammu and Kashmir may be changed, Omar said, “There is no such proposal and no one can change J&K’s name without the permission of the government.”

He refused to comment on the claims of the Centre that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved after the abrogation of the Article 370—(KNO)

Baramulla Police Seize Illegally Smuggled Timber, Arrest Three Individuals in Major Operation

Timber Seized in Baramulla

Baramulla Police successfully intercepted a Tata 207 vehicle carrying nine illegally sourced timber logs at Drung Crossing during a routine checkpoint. Upon inspection, it was found that the timber lacked proper documentation. The vehicle and timber were seized, and three individuals were arrested: Mehraj Ahmad Khan, Mohammed Amin Lone, and Owais Ahmad Parrey.

A case has been registered under various sections of the Forest Act and Indian Penal Code. Investigations are ongoing to identify the timber’s source and destination. This operation demonstrates Baramulla Police’s commitment to protecting natural resources and combating illegal activities. Citizens are urged to report any suspicious activities related to forest produce.