At present, 42 injured pilgrims are undergoing treatment at SKIMS, including 21 from Madhya Pradesh, 19 from Rajasthan, one from Assam and one from Uttar Pradesh. Director SKIMS has been closely overseeing their medical management and ensuring the availability of all necessary diagnostic, therapeutic and supportive services through a coordinated multidisciplinary approach.

The admitted pilgrims expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Director SKIMS, Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, for personally supervising the treatment arrangements and ensuring the best possible medical care. They also appreciated the doctors, nurses and support staff of SKIMS for their compassionate care, continuous monitoring and quality treatment.

Mr. Vishwas Rathore, one of the injured pilgrims from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, expressed his satisfaction with the treatment facilities provided at SKIMS and praised the medical staff for their dedicated services, professionalism and unwavering support.

Another injured pilgrim, Mr. Eshwar Lal, also appreciated the prompt medical attention and excellent care being extended to the patients. “I am highly impressed by the immediate care we are receiving at SKIMS. Everyone is attending to us with great compassion and care,” he said.

Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha and Hon’ble Minister for Health and Medical Education, Ms. Sakina Masood Itoo, visited SKIMS to enquire about the health of the injured pilgrims. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Shri Anshul Garg, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Shri V. K. Birdi, MLA Kangan, Mian Mehar Ali, and Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Shri Akshay Labroo, also visited the hospital and took stock of the treatment and healthcare facilities being provided to the injured pilgrims.

It is pertinent to mention that SKIMS has established a dedicated Emergency Services Ward for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrims and is maintaining close coordination with the Yatra Base Camps and allied agencies to ensure prompt medical assistance and specialised healthcare support throughout the Yatra period.
In addition, senior faculty members from various superspecialties at SKIMS are in daily coordination with the medical teams stationed at the Baltal Base Camp, providing expert clinical guidance and immediate specialist consultation whenever required. The SKIMS Control Room is functioning round the clock to coordinate referrals requiring specialised care, ensuring seamless transfer and timely management of patients at the tertiary care centre.

Officials said the accident occurred when the bus lost control on the mountainous road before overturning and plunging into the gorge, leaving dozens of passengers injured.

A joint rescue operation was immediately launched by Gund Police under the supervision of Station House Officer (SHO) Rayees Ahmad, assisted by personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), 118 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 2 Assam Rifles, 21 Rashtriya Rifles, Yatra Police and local residents.

All the injured pilgrims were safely evacuated from the accident site and shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The injured pilgrims are residents of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. Officials said all of them are receiving medical treatment, while the condition of the injured is being closely monitored.

Police have taken cognizance of the incident, and the exact cause of the accident is being investigated.[KNT]

The commemorative event was organised under the aegis of Shakti Vijay Brigade and witnessed the participation by Kargil War Veterans, senior Army officers, officers from the Civil Administration including the Tehsildar, Block Development Officers (BDOs), Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs), representatives of various government departments, ex-servicemen, members of civil society, media representatives, local dignitaries, students and a large gathering of citizens from Karnah and adjoining areas.

The programme commenced with the reception of the Chief Guest, followed by an informative presentation highlighting the historic significance of Kargil Vijay Diwas which commemorates the successful culmination of Operation Vijay on 26 July 1999. Speakers recalled how Indian soldiers, despite confronting hostile weather, snow-clad peaks, rugged terrain, and relentless enemy fire, displayed exceptional courage to reclaim the strategically important heights occupied by Pakistani intruders.

One of the most emotional segments of the event featured interactions with Kargil War Veterans, who shared their personal experiences from the battlefield. Their inspiring narratives reflected extraordinary courage, unwavering determinatio and an unflinching commitment to safeguarding the nation’s honour under the most adverse conditions.

The celebration was further enlivened by a vibrant cultural programme during which students from various educational institutions presented patriotic songs and cultural performances dedicated to the valour and sacrifice of India’s Armed Forces. Their performances filled the atmosphere with immense pride, emotion, and nationalistic spirit, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.

In recognition of the invaluable contribution to the nation, the Indian Army felicitated Kargil War Veterans and Veer Naris. School participants of the cultural events were also honoured for their enthusiastic participation.

Addressing the gathering, Commander of the Shakti Vijay Brigade paid his tributes to the Veterans and Martyrs of the Kargil War emphazising that their unparalleled courage, resilience and supreme sacrifice remain an enduring source of inspiration for every Indian. He urged the younger generation to uphold the ideals of patriotism, discipline, unity, and selfless national service.

On the occasion, the President of the Ex-Servicemen Accociation, Tangdhar Abdul Qayoom Mir recalled also recalled the significant contribution of soldiers from Karnah during the Kargil War who had actively participated in the conflict and displayed exceptional bravery.

Paying heartfelt homage to the martyrs, Mir said that Kargil Vijay Diwas is not merely a day of remembrance but a symbol of the indomitable courage and supreme sacrifice of India’s brave soldiers. He added that,although veterans have retired from active military service, however,their commitment to the nation remains as steadfast as ever. On behalf of the Veteran Community of Tangdhar he mentioned that,
“We may have taken off the uniform, but the spirit of a soldier never retires. If our nation calls upon us again, we stand ready to serve with the same courage, commitment, and unwavering devotion.”

The ceremony concluded with a formal vote of thanks followed by High Tea where serving soldiers, veterans, civil administration officials and members of the public interacted and reflected upon the timeless legacy of the heroes of Operation Vijay.

Kargil Vijay Diwas remains an enduring testament to the unparalleled bravery, resilience, and selfless sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces. It serves as a powerful reminder that the nation’s freedom and sovereignty have been secured through the extraordinary courage of its soldiers, whose legacy will continue to inspire the coming generations.

MLA Budgam, Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, called on the Chief Minister and discussed issues pertaining to his constituency.

MLAs Vijay Kumar (Hiranagar) and Rajeev Kumar (Bishnah) also met the Chief Minister and apprised him of various developmental issues and public welfare concerns relating to their constituencies.

Former MLA Inderwal, Qazi Jalal-u-Din, also called on the Chief Minister and discussed issues of public importance concerning his area.

Vice Chancellor, Cluster University Srinagar, Prof. Mohammad Mobin, met the Chief Minister and discussed matters pertaining to the university.

Senior journalist Abdal Mehjoor, along with several other individuals, also called on the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to all the delegations and individuals and assured them that their genuine concerns would be examined and addressed in a time-bound manner.

The meeting was attended by Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners, ADGPs, IGPs, Deputy Commissioners, SSPs, Director Information, Directors of School Education (Jammu/Kashmir), Directors of Health Services (Jammu/Kashmir), senior officers of the Police and Civil Administration, besides representatives of various security agencies.

The Chief Secretary took a comprehensive review of the arrangements being put in place for the main Independence Day functions at Srinagar and Jammu, besides celebrations to be held at the district, sub-division, tehsil, block and Panchayat levels across the Union Territory.

Emphasising the significance of the national occasion, Dulloo directed all the concerned departments to ensure meticulous planning and seamless coordination for the successful conduct of the celebrations. He stressed that all arrangements should be completed well in advance to facilitate smooth participation of dignitaries, students and the general public.

Reviewing the cultural programmes, the Chief Secretary called for showcasing the rich cultural heritage and composite traditions of Jammu and Kashmir through high-quality performances. He emphasised greater participation of school students and youth to instil patriotism and national pride.

He also directed the Police and Traffic authorities to ensure comprehensive security arrangements and effective traffic management around all venues so that participants and visitors do not face any inconvenience.

In view of the prevailing weather conditions, Dulloo instructed the concerned departments to make adequate arrangements for drinking water, shaded seating, medical assistance and emergency response facilities, particularly for school children and other participants.

The Chief Secretary further stressed upon maintaining high standards of sanitation, uninterrupted power supply, proper illumination and beautification of venues. He directed the concerned departments to ensure that all public utilities remain fully functional during the celebrations.

He asked the Information Department to install and thoroughly test the Public Address System (PAS) and other audio-visual equipment well before the full-dress rehearsal, while maintaining adequate backup arrangements to address any unforeseen eventuality.

Dulloo also instructed all Heads of Departments, Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners to illuminate major government buildings, offices, bridges and other iconic public infrastructure to commemorate the 80th Independence Day celebrations.

He directed the district administrations to issue invitations to public representatives, freedom fighters, ex-servicemen, families of martyrs, eminent citizens and other invitees well in advance to facilitate their participation in the celebrations.

During the meeting, officers informed that contingents of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Armed Police, CRPF, BSF, IRP, Lady Police, Fire & Emergency Services, NCC, NSS and various educational institutions would participate in the ceremonial parade and cultural programmes at the main venues.

The meeting also reviewed arrangements relating to sanitation, healthcare, drinking water, power supply, transport, seating, parking, emergency services and other logistical requirements. The concerned officers assured the Chair that all arrangements would be completed in a timely manner and reviewed regularly to ensure flawless conduct of the celebrations.

It was informed that full-dress rehearsals for the Independence Day celebrations would be conducted prior to August 15 to ensure smooth execution of all ceremonial events across the Union Territory.

The Lieutenant Governor paid heartfelt tributes to the brave policeman and conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family. He said the entire nation is proud of brave-heart Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, whose courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty will remain etched in our collective memory.

The Lieutenant Governor emphasized that the martyr’s ideals of love for duty and honor for the motherland will continue to inspire generations in building a peaceful and prosperous Union Territory. He assured the family that the administration stands firmly with them and will ensure their well-being and dignity. The Lieutenant Governor also assured full support to the family until martyr Ashiq Hussain Qureshi’s son finishes his studies and becomes eligible for a compassionate government appointment.

The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the significant progress achieved under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in dismantling the terror ecosystem and reaffirmed his resolve to eliminate terrorism from Jammu Kashmir. He urged the entire society, especially youth of Jammu Kashmir, to draw strength from the martyr’s dedication and devotion to Maa Bharti and remain united in the fight against terrorism.

Directs safety audit of structures along Nallah Sukhnag, calls for speedy restoration of damaged infrastructure

BUDGAM, JULY 22: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today visited Beerwah in Budgam district to take stock of the damage caused by incessant rainfall and the overflowing of Nallah Sukhnag.

During the visit, the Chief Minister inspected the site at Beerwah Bus Stand where a shopping complex was washed away after the flood protection wall collapsed due to the flash floods. He interacted with the affected shopkeepers and expressed solidarity with them, assuring that the Government would extend all possible assistance to those whose shops had been constructed with valid government permission.

He directed the Deputy Commissioner Budgam to receive and scrutinise all relevant documents submitted by the affected shopkeepers so that genuine cases could be processed for compensation and rehabilitation in accordance with the rules.

Addressing the affected traders, the Chief Minister said the Government would examine all eligible cases sympathetically and provide every possible support. He also took note of the demand raised by the shopkeepers for temporary rehabilitation and said that, subject to safety clearance, the newly constructed Municipal Committee shopping complex could be considered for their temporary relocation.

The Chief Minister directed the Roads & Buildings (R&B) Department to conduct a comprehensive structural safety audit of the Municipal Committee shopping complex and other government infrastructure located along Nallah Sukhnag. He said no commercial activity should be allowed in any structure unless it is declared safe by the concerned authorities.

Later, the Chief Minister inspected the ongoing restoration work on the damaged diversion bridge over Nallah Sukhnag, which was washed away by floodwaters. He instructed the concerned departments to expedite the restoration work to ensure early resumption of vehicular connectivity between Beerwah and Budgam.

He also reviewed the progress on the construction of the main motorable bridge over Nallah Sukhnag and stressed the need for maintaining quality standards while ensuring timely completion of the project.

The Chief Minister further directed the district administration and line departments to ensure prompt restoration of damaged roads, bridges, power supply, drinking water facilities and other essential public services affected by the recent floods. He emphasized that all departments must remain on high alert and respond swiftly to any emergency arising due to the prevailing weather conditions.

MLA Beerwah, Dr. Shafi Ahmad Wani, Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Athar Aamir Khan, and senior officers of the district administration and various line departments accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit.

“Since 2019, as Jammu Kashmir advances with unified momentum, we have also seen the Rotary Club’s spirit of service in action, notably through their selfless medical initiatives across North, South Kashmir and Jammu Division. I want to tell the incoming President and executive team that they are entrusted with a vital torch, and carrying it forward with tangible impact is a profound duty placed upon their shoulders,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted three specific areas which require Rotary Club’s attention.

“I appeal to the Rotary Club of Kashmir not to limit itself to scholarships or book distribution alone, but to create a professional guidance chain, a network that connects young talents living in remote areas with experienced professionals. I want the Rotary Club of Kashmir to provide opportunities in digital education and skill development that prepare young people for a changing world,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He observed that second important area is environment protection and urged the members of Rotary Club of Kashmir to act as guardians of nature.

“We can no longer confine ourselves to tree-planting drives. We must develop an environmental protection model based on scientific methods, long-term planning and the participation of local communities, which will inspire future generations. I want the Rotary Club of Kashmir to involve youth in this campaign and to partner with educational and research institutions. I wish to see the Rotary Club of Kashmir remembered for conserving rivers and lakes and for restoring forests to life,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor said the third and most important area concerns the campaign for a drug-free Jammu Kashmir. He highlighted the achievements of 100-day drug-free J&K campaign and called upon Rotary Club of Kashmir to become an active and full partner in this public campaign, because this is a fight for the future of coming generations.

“The Rotary Club possesses medical expertise and enjoys public trust. It can launch de-addiction camps, awareness drives in colleges and universities, and livelihood and skill-development programs for youth. I know Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” is a pledge to a better public life, and contributions in these three areas will bring real change. Your work over the past two decades has proved that Rotarians in Kashmir are dedicated to selfless service. Now, as this responsibility passes into new hands, I entrust to you the task of working for a prosperous, peaceful and drug-free Jammu Kashmir,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Rtn. Anil Kumar Singhal, District Governor; Rtn. Dr Touseef Bhatt, President, Rotary Club Kashmir; Rtn. Jagjit Singh, Outgoing President; Rtn. Adil Shah, Secretary; other office bearers of the Rotary Club Kashmir, Rotarians were present.

Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor, IUST; Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST Kashmir; Shri Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, SSP Srinagar; Shri Javid Ahmad Tenga, President Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and prominent citizens from different walks of life also attended the installation ceremony.

.No: PR/DI/26/1356/

RAJOURI, JULY 22: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology, Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, along with Minister for Youth Services & Sports, Transport, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Science & Technology, Satish Sharma, today visited the flood-affected areas of Rajouri district to assess the damage caused by the recent flash floods and review the ongoing relief, rescue and restoration operations.

MLA Thanamandi Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, MLA Rajouri Iftkhar Ahmed and other officers accompanied the Ministers during their visit.

The Ministers visited the worst-affected localities, interacted with the affected families and took stock of the damage to houses, public infrastructure, drinking water supply and other essential services.

They visited Bella Colony, Darhali which witnessed flash floods following incessant rainfall, causing the Darhali, Khandli, Suktoh and Jamola streams to overflow and inundate several low-lying areas. The Darhali river has breached the flood protection wall near Bela Colony, resulting in severe flooding of the new bus stand causing extensive damage to dozens of vehicles.

Javed Rana said the flash floods have caused extensive damage to public infrastructure, including roads, water supply and power supply systems, necessitating collective and immediate action for restoration. He said several rural areas have been cut off due to the damage while irrigation schemes, flood protection bunds and residential houses have also suffered significant losses, underscoring the need for swift restoration measures and timely assistance to the affected families.

Javed Rana directed the district administration and line departments to work in close coordination to expedite restoration of essential services, particularly drinking water supply, road connectivity and other public utilities, on war footing. He stressed the need for a time-bound assessment of damage to houses, agricultural land and public infrastructure to facilitate prompt disbursal of relief and compensation.

Javed Rana also stressed the need to restore power supply expeditiously, stating that several water supply schemes have been severely affected due to the non-availability of electricity. He directed the Power Development Department to ensure the earliest possible restoration of electricity so that drinking water supply to the affected areas is resumed without delay.

Interacting with the affected people, the Ministers assured them that the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, stands firmly with them and will extend all assistance for their relief, rehabilitation and early restoration of normalcy.

“Every possible effort will be made to provide timely relief, restore essential services and ensure early rehabilitation of the affected families. Our priority is to respond swiftly to the needs of the people, minimise their hardships and ensure that assistance reaches every deserving family without delay,” Rana said.

Satish Sharma said that our immediate priority is to restore the essential services, support affected families and ensure that relief and rehabilitation measures reach every deserving household promptly through coordinated efforts of all departments.

The Ministers also appealed to the public to strictly adhere to weather advisories and avoid venturing into flood-prone areas until conditions improve.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), PDD; ACS, Finance; Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department; Managing Director, SIDCO; besides other senior officers of the concerned departments.

Reviewing the proposals in detail, the Chief Secretary undertook an assessment of the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) prepared for the proposed Plug-and-Play Industrial Parks at Pekhari, Samba and Nowgam, Srinagar.

Stressing the need for meticulous planning and technical robustness, he directed that the DPRs be thoroughly vetted by the Power Development Department and the Public Works (R&B) Department to ensure their technical feasibility, engineering soundness and conformity with the prescribed standards before their submission to the Government of India for consideration under the BHAVYA Scheme.

The Chief Secretary also reviewed the status of the land identified for establishment of the proposed industrial parks and sought details regarding the process of transfer and vesting of the land in favour of the implementing agency in accordance with the applicable legal and administrative provisions. He instructed the concerned departments to expedite all necessary procedural formalities so that the projects are taken forward without avoidable delays.

Dulloo further examined the proposed institutional and implementation framework envisaged for execution of the projects. He deliberated upon the mechanism proposed for establishment, execution and long-term management of these industrial parks, including the constitution of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), project implementation arrangements and the administrative structure that would oversee their timely grounding, monitoring and successful completion in strict adherence to the operational guidelines of the BHAVYA Scheme.

Emphasising coordinated action, the Chief Secretary directed all stakeholder departments to work in close synergy to ensure that all statutory clearances, technical approvals are sought well in time, enabling the Union Territory to submit comprehensive and technically robust proposals capable of securing approval and financial assistance from the Government of India.

At the outset, the Chief Secretary was apprised by the Commissioner Secretary, I&C, Vikramjit Singh about the broad contours of the BHAVYA Scheme, a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, envisaging the development of 100 state-of-the-art Plug-and-Play Industrial Parks across the country during the period 2026-27 to 2031-32, with the first phase covering 50 industrial parks.

He added that the UT is well on the way to submit two proposals for the two divisions before the set deadline of 31st July so that both of them are considered and approved by the Ministry there. The scheme provides central assistance of up to ₹1 crore per acre for eligible projects, subject to prescribed norms and approvals.

During the meeting, the MD, SIDCO, Mohammad Shahid Saleem made a comprehensive presentation on the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) prepared for two proposed Plug-and-Play Industrial Parks under the BHAVYA Scheme.

He further elaborated that the projects have been conceptualised to create fully integrated industrial ecosystems equipped with modern infrastructure, digital governance, reliable utilities, logistics support, worker amenities and environmentally sustainable facilities to significantly enhance ease of doing business and reduce the time required by investors to establish industrial units.

The meeting was informed that the proposed Industrial Park at Pekhari, Samba, would be developed over 83.97 acres at an estimated project cost of ₹211.64 crore, while the Nowgam Industrial Park in Srinagar would cover 50 acres with an estimated cost of ₹104.02 crore.

It was further informed that the Pekhari project in Samba district has been planned to cater primarily to MSMEs, light engineering, packaging and printing units, warehousing, logistics and IT-enabled services, while the one envisaged at Nowgam (Srinagar) would focus on the horticulture value chain, food processing, light manufacturing, logistics, warehousing and digital services, thereby leveraging the distinct economic strengths of the Jammu and Kashmir regions respectively.

The presentation highlighted that unlike conventional industrial estates, the proposed BHAVYA parks would provide complete Plug-and-Play infrastructure including developed industrial plots, internal road network, power distribution systems, water supply, Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), digital connectivity, warehouses, Built-to-Suit (BTS) factory sheds, common facility centres, testing laboratories, IT towers, worker housing, healthcare and daycare facilities, skill development centres, green infrastructure and climate-resilient utilities.

The meeting also deliberated upon the proposed funding pattern, implementation through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), EPC-based execution, quality monitoring mechanisms and long-term operation and maintenance framework for the industrial parks. Officers informed that after approval of the DPRs by the UT-level Committee, the proposals would be submitted to the National Level Steering Committee for appraisal and sanction under the BHAVYA Scheme.