Emphasises enforcement, awareness and infrastructure during road safety meeting

JAMMU: District Magistrate Sachin Kumar Vaishya today chaired a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee to review ongoing road safety measures and strategise future actions.

The meeting was attended by Senior Superintendent of Police Joginder Singh, SSP Traffic Faisal Qureshi, Additional District Magistrate Ansuya Jamwal, Regional Transport Officer Jasmeet Singh, Superintending Engineers from PWD, GM NHIDCL, PD NHAI Jammu-Udhampur, besides others.

During the meeting, the DM directed the RTO to conduct special enforcement drives to ensure strict compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act, particularly in rural areas. He also called for a focussed crackdown on vehicles with obscured or tampered number plates.

Ensuring road cleanliness and maintenance was another key agenda. The DM instructed officers from Irrigation & Flood Control Department to promptly clear desilting refuse to prevent accumulation on roads, which increases the risk of accidents. Additionally, he stressed the need to maintain functional street lights in all key areas to improve nighttime visibility and safety.

The DM directed that awareness drives be conducted in schools and colleges to educate students about traffic rules and safe driving practices. Further, the Chief Medical Officer was instructed to organise block-level eye check-up camps for drivers, ensuring they meet the required vision standards.

Officers were also directed to immediately remove hazardous hoardings and obstructions that could contribute to road accidents. The Power Development Department Executive Engineers were asked to ensure the swift removal of fallen poles, if any, to prevent traffic disruptions and potential mishaps.

To improve road safety infrastructure, the DM ordered the installation of signages and reflectors near dividers and the continued deployment of traffic marshals at diversions along National Highway projects. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited officer was also instructed to install CCTV cameras along the Jammu-Akhnoor National Highway.

Regular anti-encroachment drives were also stressed to ease congestion and remove road obstructions, ensuring smoother traffic flow and safer roads.

The meeting also saw discussions with Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers of the Public Works Department regarding routine road maintenance and the removal of potholes. Officers from Jammu Smart City Limited were directed to coordinate efforts for pothole removal, ensuring safer travel conditions.

Additionally, the installation of reflectors and convex mirrors at accident-prone spots was discussed to further enhance road safety.

Chairs RKS meeting; reviews functioning, patient care at SDH Nowshera

JAMMU: Asserting his government’s commitment towards upgrading the existing healthcare infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir, Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today said that quality health services are being provided to the people with special focus on rural and far flung areas.

The Deputy Chief Minister was addressing the officers during a meeting of “Rogi Kalyan Samiti” (RKS) held to review the functioning and patient care facilities available at Sub District Hospital, Nowshera, here today.

On the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister, who is also the Chairman “Rogi Kalyan Samiti” was apprised of the progress and performance registered by the SDH under different indicators and financial allocation under RKS.

A brief discussion was held on various services including Maternity and Child Health Services, referral services, Ayushman Bharat, ABHA card status, services under JSY, ambulance service besides status of Hospital’s civil works.

BMO Nowshera gave a detailed presentation regarding the facilities, functioning and activities proposed under RKS 2024-25 for infrastructure up-gradation and overall advancement of healthcare system in the Hospital

The Deputy Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to work on various necessities vital for upgrading the basic infrastructure in the hospital. He directed the BMO to submit a detailed list of department wise requirements so that measures are taken with respect to the facility upgradation of the hospital accordingly.

He  directed all the concerned to follow the objectives as envisaged in RKS guidelines. He asked the officials of health department to work with added zeal and dedication to ensure efficient and prompt healthcare facilities to the people.

 Among others the meeting was attended by ADC Nowshera, Babu Ram Tandon, BMO, Executive Engineers of Jal Shakti and R&B, EO, representatives from civil society and other members.

Four-day event to begin in Gulmarg from March 9

JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today launched the official website for Khelo India Winter Games 2025 (kwig2025.com) at the Civil Secretariat.

The launch event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Ministers Javed Ahmad Rana and Satish Sharma, and Gulmarg MLA Farooq A. Shah. Also present were Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary GAD & Information M. Raju, Secretary Law, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Secretary J&K Sports Council and other officials, both in person and virtually.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah extended his best wishes to the organizers and inquired about the arrangements and finalization of dates for the event.

In her presentation, Secretary J&K Sports Council announced that the event will now take place from March 9-12 at Gulmarg. She detailed the schedule, including the arrival of teams on March 7, a night skiing demonstration, fireworks, a laser show, cultural programs, competition events and the award ceremony.

She also highlighted the key features of the newly launched website, which will provide real-time updates and comprehensive event-related information.

With fresh snowfall, Jammu & Kashmir is set to host the second leg of KIWG 2025 in Gulmarg from March 9 to 12, ensuring a world-class winter sports experience in one of India’s premier snow destinations.

The event, initially scheduled for February 22-25, was postponed due to insufficient snowfall. The Khelo India Winter Games 2025 will feature four major events—Alpine Skiing, Ski Mountaineering, Snowboarding, and Nordic Skiing—which will take place at Kongdoori and Gulmarg Club in Gulmarg.

JAMMU,: As part of the ongoing efforts to curb the rising menace of drug abuse, the District Administration Jammu, under the guidance of District Magistrate Sachin Kumar Vaishya, today organised an Information, Education and Communication campaign at Government Boys High School, Bansultan, Miran Sahib. The campaign was presided over by Additional District Magistrate Ansuya Jamwal.

The initiative is part of a three-month-long IEC campaign aimed at spreading awareness and educating the public on the dangers of substance abuse. The event featured expert lectures by psychiatrists, educators and former addicts who shared insights into the psychological, emotional and physical consequences of drug addiction.

Addressing the gathering, ADM Jamwal emphasised the need for collective action to tackle drug abuse at the grassroots level. She urged parents to remain vigilant and proactive in preventing children from falling into the trap of addiction.

“Society must come together and openly discuss ways to prevent the infiltration of drugs into our society. Any suspicion regarding drug-related activities must be reported immediately to the district administration, such as the Tehsildar or the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. The law ensures protection for whistleblowers,” she asserted.

Highlighting peer pressure as a major factor influencing youth towards drug abuse, she stressed the importance of educating children about resisting such influences. “We must act together as a society to stop this gradual descent of our nation into drug abuse. The fight begins at the ground level,” she added.

A total of 35 awareness events were organised across multiple panchayats in the district today alone. So far, 118 events have been conducted since the campaign commenced on February 10. Over the next three months, a total of 305 such events have been planned to ensure awareness reaches every corner of the district.

The event saw participation from students and local residents. Among those present were Zonal Education Officer Verthana Sharma, Block Development Officer Sonali Arora, Principal Ashok Chopra, PSI Ajesh Jamwal and other officials.

JAMMU: The Election Commission of India (ECI) had recognized the services of Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, for successful holding of elections for the 18th Lok Sabha in the UT of J&K.

The Chief Secretary, J&K was presented with a ‘Certificate of Exemplary Leadership’ signed by Chief Election Commissioner and two of the Election Commissioners for his excellent service towards successful conduct of the 18th Lok Sabha Elections-2024 in J&K.

This appreciation by the Commission was received by the Chief Secretary for holding of trouble free elections in the UT in which a substantial 58.11% polling was recorded for the first time for the general elections held here since 1989 across the districts of the UT. The same was over 14% more than that of the elections of 2019 during which the overall percentage of polling was just around 44% across the districts of the UT.

Pertinent to mention here that these were the first general elections of the J&K after its reorganization in the year 2019. A total of 87,26,281 voters were eligible to exercise their franchise in these elections. For this purpose, 11,629 polling stations had been established and 80,724 polling personnel had been trained and made available to ECI for holding of elections across the villages and towns of J&K.

Moreover, for the first time administration had established 83 women manned, 70 youth manned, 73 PwD manned, 88 Green Polling Stations, 180 Border Polling Stations, 152 Model Polling Stations and 46 Unique Polling Stations under specific themes in all districts of  Jammu & Kashmir. These were aimed to revolutionize the electoral process by ensuring accessibility and representation for all segments of society.

With a special focus on women, youth and Persons with Disabilities these stations were equipped with amenities tailored to meet their unique needs, fostering an environment conducive for their active participation in the democratic process.

UT’s Dal Lake Weed Processing Unit, climate initiatives steal spotlight

J&K inks MoU regarding transformation of Srinagar into zero landfill city by 2030

JAMMU:  In a landmark move, Srinagar Smart City Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the CITIIS 2.0 program regarding implementation of integrated waste management systems including smart collection networks and AI-driven recycling hubs to transform Srinagar into a zero-landfill city by 2030.

The MoU was singed during the 12th Regional 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific, being held in Rajasthan from March 3 to 5, 2025.

Additionally, the UT government inked a state-level agreement to establish a Climate Observatory, a first-of-its-kind institution in North India. The observatory will monitor climate variables, assess risks and formulate adaptive strategies for vulnerable sectors like agriculture, tourism and water resources. 

The event, a flagship platform for advancing sustainable development and resource efficiency, saw J&K highlighting its pioneering initiatives in waste management and circular economy practices, reinforcing its commitment to environmental stewardship. 

The Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) showcased Jammu & Kashmir’s ground-breaking Dal Lake Weed Processing Unit at the forum, drawing widespread attention from policymakers, technocrats and sustainability experts. The project, which converts invasive aquatic weeds into organic manure and biogas, exemplifies the UT’s innovative approach towards tackling ecological challenges while promoting circular economy principles.

Dignitaries including Policy Makers, Thinkers, Researchers and Planners from all across the Country visited the J&K stall and applauded the initiative of transforming lake waste into valuable resources adopting sustainable waste management practices. 

The J&K delegation, led by senior officials from the Housing and Urban Development Department, engaged in extensive knowledge-sharing sessions with the representatives from other states and Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Key focus areas included “Waste-to-Wonder Technologies”, “Waste-to-Energy Innovations” and “Community-Led Circular Economy Models”.

The forum offered a wealth of ideas, particularly in decentralizing waste management and empowering local communities. The visit provided an opportunity to explore best practices and modern technologies for potential replication in Jammu & Kashmir.

The participation of Jammu & Kashmir in the forum highlights its unwavering commitment towards sustainable urban development and the promotion of circular economy principles, aligning with the broader vision of environmental conservation and resource efficiency. 

Pertinently, CITIIS 2.0 is a flagship initiative driving integrated waste management and climate action. Proposals for integrated waste management in smart cities were invited by the Ministry of Housing Affairs, GoI and 18 proposals worth Rs. 1800 Cr were shortlisted benefiting 18 cities across 14 states of the Country.

The 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum will continue in the coming days, featuring expert discussions, policy dialogues and collaborative initiatives aimed at shaping the future of sustainable urban development and circularity in the country.