#JAMMU: In Jammu and Kashmir, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH44) was today reopened for light motor vehicles (LMVs) after remaining closed for the past two days following multiple landslides triggered by heavy rains in Ramban district.

Heavy motor vehicles are not allowed to ply on the highway for the time being as the road clearance and widening operation is still on.

The light motor vehicles were released on the national highway from both sides around 9.30 AM after debris was cleared at Mehar, Dalwas and Magerkote in Ramban district. The opening of the 270 km national highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, provided relief to hundreds of people, including tourists, who were stranded in the twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar following its closure.

Multiple landslides, mudslides and shooting stones from the hillocks blocked the highway at nearly a dozen places between Nashri and Banihal tunnels during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, prompting suspension of the traffic. Meanwhile, the historic Mughal road- an alternate national highway linking twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu region with Shopian district in Kashmir region remained closed for the sixth consecutive day today owing to snowfall in Peer Ki Gali and adjoining areas.

The traffic on the road usually remains closed during winter months due to snow accumulation. The road was recently cleared for one-way traffic but fresh snowfall between Friday and Monday again closed it.

The authorities said that the work would take at least one more day, that too if the weather remains fair. The Mughal Road was closed for the movement of vehicles five days ago after heavy rainfall followed by snowfall, shooting stones, and landslides.

#JAMMU: PMO Dr. Jitendra Singh along with his family casts his vote in Jammu for Jammu-Rajouri parliament constituency.

#JAMMU: Over 17.80 lakh voters will decide the fate of 22 candidates contesting from 5-Jammu Parliamentary Constituency in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls to be held on April 26.

The Jammu parliamentary constituency is spread over 18 Assembly segments in four districts including Reasi, Samba, Jammu and Rajouri.

According to the figures provided by the office of Returning Officer 5-Jammu Parliamentary Constituency, there are 17,80,835 registered voters in Jammu PC including 9,21,095 male, 8,59,712 female and 28 transgender electors. Among these 37,822 (37,025 male and 797 female) are service voters.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has set up 2416 polling stations across the constituency including 18 Green Polling Stations, 46 Pink Polling Stations and 18 PwD manned polling stations.

Reasi district with three Assembly Constituencies, including Gulabgarh (ST), Reasi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, has 23,52,62 voters including 12,33,23 male, 11,19,36 female and three transgender voters. Among these 1393 are service voters (1364 male, 29 female). The ECI has set up 425 polling stations across the district including 97 vulnerable and 16 critical.

Samba district, comprising three Assembly Constituencies including Ramgrah (SC), Samba and Vijaypur has 2,59,198 voters, including 1,32,861 male, 1,26,336 female and one transgender voter. Among these 10,269 (10,073 male, 196 female) are service voters. The ECI has set up 365 polling stations in the district, including 72 critical.

Similarly, Jammu district, comprising 11 Assembly Constituencies including Bishnah (SC), Suchetgarh (SC), R S Pura-Jammu South, Bahu, Jammu East, Nagrota, Jammu West, Jammu North, Marh (SC), Akhnoor (SC) and Chhamb has 11,89,389 electors, including 6,13,988 male, 5,75,378 female and 23 transgender voters. Among these are also 24,315 service voters (23,768 male, 547 female). The ECI has set up 1488 polling stations across the district, including 38 vulnerable and 15 critical.

Likewise, Rajouri district with only Kalakote-Sunderbani Assembly Constituency falling in Jammu PC, has 96,986 voters (50,923 male, 46,062 female) and one transgender voter. Among these 1845 (1820 male, 25 female) are service voters. The ECI has set up 138 polling stations in the Assembly Constituency, including 88 vulnerable and 14 critical.

The R S Pura-Jammu South Assembly Constituency has the highest number of 1,24,744 voters (64,687 male, 60,054 female), three transgender voters including 1592 service. The EC has set up 147 polling stations across this AC.

Similarly, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Assembly segment of Reasi district has the lowest number of 55,737 voters (29,340 male, 26,397 female including 271 service voters) and the election authorities have set up 91 polling stations across the segment.

#JAMMU: Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, today chaired a meeting to review healthcare arrangements being put in place for the upcoming Shri #Amarnathji Yatra, 2024.

During the meeting, the Administrative Secretary directed the officials to collaborate closely with Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, Health Department and security forces to ensure coordinated healthcare services for the Yatris.

The Secretary instructed the officials to finalize all necessary arrangements before the Yatra begins. He highlighted the importance of having both portable and fixed oxygen supplies at all health centers established along the Yatra route. Further, he instructed Director Health Services, Kashmir, to expedite establishment of a 100-bedded hospital by ONGC and arrange the required human resources for the hospital. He also stressed the need to make sure that all essential medicines and medical equipment are readily available for the pilgrims.

The Secretary emphasized the importance of facilitating a seamless and hassle-free Yatra experience for the pilgrims. He directed for ensuring that requisite healthcare staff should be readily available at all healthcare institutions, especially on highways and critical points along the Yatra route. He called for implementation of a quick and reliable emergency response system at all levels and instructed the officials to ensure deployment of ambulances along the Yatra route. He asked for keeping the 102 and 108 Ambulance systems on alert during the Yatra.

The Director Health Services Kashmir provided an overview of the planned healthcare arrangements for the Yatra. He informed that a total of 55 medical centers will be set up, including 06 base hospitals with 100 bedded hospital each at Baltal & Chandanwari, 11 medical aid centers, 12 emergency aid centers, 26 oxygen booths, and 15 on-route facilities. He further stated that 17 on-route facilities will be kept on standby to address any emergencies. The Director also shared that they have planned to deploy a total of 1415 healthcare staff for the Yatra, including 173 specialists, 244 medical officers, and 998 paramedics. Out of these, 754 will be sourced from J&K, and 661 will be requested from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.

The Deputy Director Health Services, Jammu (Nodal Officer for AmarnathYatra Jammu Division) provided the details of medical arrangement on Yatra routes from Lakhanpur to Banihal. He informed that 15 emergency rooms will be made operational to tackle any emergency during the Yatra, 53 health centres will be ready for providing medical care facilities to Yatries from Lakhanpur to Lamber ground Banihal. More than 60 ambulances including 20 ALS ambulances shall be utilized during Yatra. Apart from this, the services of 15 Doctors and 60 Paramedics of Jammu Division will be placed at the disposal of Director Health Services, Kashmir for Amarnath Yatra-2024. The medical teams will also be deployed at Yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar Jammu and Yayri Niwas Chanderkote, Ramban to provide 24×7 medical care facilities to Amarnath Yatries.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Health & Medical Education Department, Director Health Services Kashmir and Deputy Director Health Services, Jammu, Chief Engineer, R&B, South Kashmir, and Chief Medical Officers of J&K.

#KATHUA: In an effort to bolster voter turnout and foster democratic values, a unique mega voter awareness activity took place at picturesque Purthu in Basohli, alongside the famous Ranjit Sagar Lake.

The event, which saw synchronization of para motor sailing with a pool of water boats, immersed the iconic location in the fervor of upcoming elections.

Asha and Anganwadi workers, adorned with placards and specially made election invitation cards issued by District Election Cell, highlighted the district administration’s resolve to motivate all to participate in upcoming elections scheduled for April 19.

The event captured attention of both locals and tourists, who joined Voter Pledge ceremony, marking their commitment to exercising their democratic right. A dedicated wall served as a reminder for voters not to overlook their duty to vote, a fundamental aspect of India’s democratic principles.

Participants were equipped with wristbands by the District Election Cell, turning them into ambassadors for voter awareness, ensuring the message reaches a broader audience ahead of elections on April 19. They were provided informative pamphlets exhibiting step-wise voting procedure to spread message in their respective locations

Speaking on the occasion, ADC Basohli, Anil Thakur emphasized the pivotal role of such events in reminding people to elect their representatives, devoid of societal biases, and without fail.

CEO, BBDA, Ajeet Singh, highlighted the lasting impact of event at iconic Purthu on electorate’s memory, encouraging them to exercise their right to franchise on April 19.

JAMMU: The 23rd Sub-Junior National Wushu Championship for boys and girls took off today in Jammu. The event, being organized by the Wushu Association of J&K in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council in the Gymnasium Hall of Jammu University, was declared open by Secretary J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gull today.

More than 1500 boys and girls from different parts of the country are participating in the event

In her address, Nuzhat Gull congratulated the participants of the guest states and UTs for making it to the grand event.

The Secretary Sports Council thanked the Directorate of Sports and Physical Education for its cooperation and support in the conduct of this event.

The Bureau Chief of Times Now, Pradeep Dutta who was the guest of honour on the occasion, also shared his views with the participants and the guests present on the occasion.

Earlier, the General Secretary Wushu Association of India, Vijay Saraf, presented a welcome speech and gave a brief gist of the event.

While the presentation ceremony was folding, Kuldeep Handoo presented the vote of thanks.

The six-day event will conclude on the 2nd of April.