Ticket checking drive: Railways' Jammu division collects Rs 56.46 lakh fine in August
Jammu, Sept 1: Officials said they detected 8,106 cases during the drive, which aimed to curb ticketless and irregular travel and raise passenger awareness about travelling with valid tickets. According to officials, a total fine of Rs 56,46,615 was collected from passengers travelling without tickets, undertaking irregular journeys or carrying unbooked excess luggage. The checking was carried out throughout the month at major stations, including Jammu, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan, Kathua, Pathankot Cantt, Budgam and Srinagar, and various Mail, Express and special trains passing through the division. Officials said the drive was not aimed merely at revenue generation but also at ensuring a safe, smooth and comfortable journey for passengers. Jammu Division is committed to maintaining passenger convenience and railway discipline. This is the result of the dedication and continuous efforts of our ticket checking staff, senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu Division, Uchit Singhal said. Our objective is not only to take punitive action but also to make passengers aware that they must take tickets before starting their journey. Such intensive ticket checking drives will continue regularly, he said. The division appealed to passengers to travel only with valid tickets and cooperate with railway authorities during ticket checks.
Ujh multipurpose project revival raises hopes of economic transformation
Srinagar, Aug 29:The revival of the long-delayed Ujh Multipurpose Project in Kathua district has raised hopes of an economic transformation in the region, with the ambitious project expected to expand irrigation, generate hydropower, and strengthen water availability for households and industry. The project, located on the Ujh river, a major tributary of the Ravi, envisages a 380-feet-high concrete-faced rockfill dam and a power house expected to generate between 186 MW and 212 MW of electricity. Declared a national project in 2008, the scheme remained stalled for years. Its revival has now brought renewed attention to its potential to benefit communities in Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Pathankot and Gurdaspur in neighbouring Punjab. It has been discussed for years, and people here have been waiting to see the project move forward. If completed as planned, it could bring major changes to the area, said Akshay Kumar, a resident of Kathua. The project is designed to provide irrigation to nearly 90,000 hectares of agricultural land across Kathua and Samba in J&K and Pathankot and Gurdaspur in Punjab. For farmers in the region, the availability of irrigation water could reduce dependence on rainfall and support more reliable agricultural production. The project was revived due to the efforts of Union Minister Jitendra Singh. Earlier, water was not reaching the tail-end areas, but with the completion of this project, many villages in the tail-end areas of Kathua and Samba districts will receive irrigation water, MLA Samba Surjeet Singh Slathia told Greater Kashmir. He said the project would prove to be a major milestone for the farming community in the two districts, as improved irrigation would help bring more land under cultivation, strengthen agricultural productivity and provide greater relief to farmers in the tail-end villages. The project will also supply drinking water to Kathua district and make water available for industrial use, potentially supporting new investments and employment in the region. Work on the project is being taken up in phases, with construction-related activities and land acquisition progressing simultaneously, according to officials. Locals say the projects impact could extend beyond agriculture and power generation, with the reservoir and associated infrastructure potentially creating opportunities in tourism, transport, hospitality and other sectors. The project also has a significant strategic dimension because of its location near the international border. Backed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the project is expected to help regulate water flows more effectively and strengthen surveillance and management along vulnerable stretches of the riverbed that could otherwise be used as infiltration routes. The project is also expected to enhance Indias utilisation of the waters of the eastern rivers allocated to it under the Indus Waters Treaty. At present, part of the Ujhs flow crosses the international border without being fully utilised on the Indian side. The project aims to harness a greater share of this water for irrigation, drinking water, industry, and power generation.
Punjab delegation calls on LG Sinha
Jammu, Aug 20: A public delegation from Punjab, led by S. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Member of Legislative Assembly from Ajnala, Amritsar, called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday and briefed him on recurring monsoon overflows from the Ujh River affecting several parts of Punjab. The delegation requested the Lieutenant Governor to take up the matter with the Prime Minister and the Union Minister for Jal Shakti for construction of a suitable dam or reservoir project on River Ujh, or any other technically feasible flood-moderation measure, after undertaking a comprehensive feasibility study and preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR). The delegation highlighted that such a project could help regulate and maintain the flow of River Ujh and mitigate flood situations in several districts of Punjab, including Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Amritsar, particularly Ajnala Sub-Division. It was further submitted that besides flood management, a reservoir project could facilitate the storage of excess monsoon water for future use, while also offering potential for hydroelectric power generation and promoting tourism, water-sports and recreational activities in the area. The delegation said the proposed intervention could contribute to long-term water management, strengthen flood resilience and support sustainable economic development in the region. The Lieutenant Governor assured the delegation that the issue would be given due consideration and taken up with the concerned authorities for technical evaluation.
Security beefed up as Cong, PDP, NC to observe Aug 5 as
Jammu Tawi, Aug 4 : Security has been intensified across the Jammu region, particularly along the Jammu-Srinagar and Jammu-Pathankot national highways, as the National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress have announced separate protests to observe August 5 as Black Day. August 5 marks the seventh anniversary of the Centres decision [] The post Security beefed up as Cong, PDP, NC to observe Aug 5 as Black Day appeared first on Northlines .
Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday stated that the delay in implementation of the Ujh multipurpose project and the Shahpurkandi project resulted in the waters of the Ravi river and its tributaries continuing to flow into Pakistan although India controlled it (Ravi), even when the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was in force. He asserted that the revival of Ujh after a hiatus of 100 years and Shahpurkandi project, which was almost completed, would optimise the use of Ravi water and 90,000 hectares of agricultural land in four districts of J&K and Punjab would get irrigation facilities after the phased completion of Ujh project. Dr Jitendra was reviewing the status and phased implementation roadmap of the Ujh multipurpose project (MPP) in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, in a meeting held in the union capital on August 2, 2026. The Ujh multipurpose project, located on the Ujh river, a main tributary of the Ravi River, is designed to generate around 186 MW to 212 MW of electricity. Besides bolstering irrigation and drinking water facilities, it also has an important security and border-management dimension and is backed by the Ministry of Home Affairs to restrict unregulated water flows and plug vulnerable cross-border infiltration routes along the riverbed. In a detailed meeting with the officials of Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) Limited, a Government of India undertaking under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, which has been entrusted with the implementation of the project, the Union Minister, on Sunday, August 2, 2026, emphasised the need for expeditious implementation so that the benefits of the strategically important project reached the people at the earliest. Dr Jitendra, who is also the Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences besides being the Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, advised WAPCOS to explore innovative solutions and implementation strategies while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety and efficiency. The Minister was informed that the project was being taken up in a phased manner. Work will commence while acquisition of the remaining land is pursued simultaneously, without waiting for completion of the entire land acquisition process. The implementing agency is also working out the project site and related requirements, it was stated. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr Jitendra said, long-pending national projects were being taken forward with renewed urgency. He noted that the Ujh multipurpose project, conceived nearly a century ago, had remained in limbo for decades, while the Shahpurkandi project had remained pending for about four decades. The delay in implementation of these projects resulted in the waters of the Ravi river and its tributaries continuing to flow into Pakistan. Even when the Indus Waters Treaty was in force, Ravi, Satluj and Beas were Indias three rivers under the Treaty, with Ravi being the major river among them, he maintained, adding that the Treaty was currently in abeyance. Dr Jitendra said, The revival of the Shahpurkandi project in 2019, which is now almost complete and the revival of the Ujh multipurpose project in 2026 reflect the governments resolve under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to realise long-delayed projects, optimise the use of Indias water resources and deliver tangible benefits to the people. The Ujh multipurpose project is expected to provide irrigation to nearly 90,000 hectares of agricultural land in Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir and Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts of Punjab. The project will also supply drinking water to Kathua district and provide industrial water availability. The project is expected to strengthen agricultural productivity, improve water security, create new opportunities for economic development and contribute to the overall socio-economic progress of the Union Territory. Dr Jitendra reviewed the implementation milestones in detail and stressed the need for close coordination among all stakeholders and effective monitoring for timely execution. He assured WAPCOS of the governments full support and cooperation for the successful implementation and timely completion of the prestigious project.
Punjab Chief Minister to Disburse Honorarium Under Mawan-Dhiyan Sewa Scheme for 3.55 Million Women
Chandigarh, August 1: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will launch the disbursement of honorarium under the Mawan-Dhiyan Sewa Scheme from Pathankot on Saturday. According to government officials, a total of 3.55 million women will receive the honorarium directly in their bank accounts. Previously, 3.3 million women had already benefited from this scheme. This means ... Read more Punjab Chief Minister to Disburse Honorarium Under Mawan-Dhiyan Sewa Scheme for 3.55 Million Women
Good News For UP, Bihar Travellers: Chhapra-Pathankot Weekly Special Train From July 20
Train will have 19 coaches, including AC Second Class, AC Third Class, Third AC Economy, Sleeper Class, General Second Class, and luggage-cum-generator coaches.
MHA tags 17 from Pakistan and 6 Indians 'individual terrorists'
India has declared 23 individuals from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as terrorists, targeting Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish operatives. Home Minister Amit Shah stated these individuals are involved in anti-India activities, including terror attacks and recruitment. The designated terrorists are linked to significant attacks like Pathankot and the Rameshwaram Cafe blast, with some also involved in reconnaissance for future strikes. This move underscores the government's firm stance against terrorism.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has announced that the long-pending Shahpur Kandi Project on the River Ravi is nearing completion, raising hopes among farmers in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba and Kathua districts. The project is expected to bring irrigation to over 32,000 hectares of barren land in the Kandi belt and benefit thousands of hectares in Punjab's Pathankot district.
Four Injured After Car Skids Off Road, Rolls Into River In Bhaderwah
DODA, June 5: Four injured after a car skidded off the road and plunged into a river near Nalthi Park in the Bhaderwah area of Jammu and Kashmirs Doda district on Friday, officials said. The accident occurred when the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to roll down into the river, they said. Rescue teams rushed to the spot and shifted the occupants to Sub-District Hospital, Bhaderwah, for treatment. The injured, all residents of Pathankot in Punjab, have [] The post Four Injured After Car Skids Off Road, Rolls Into River In Bhaderwah appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
