Page 9 - Jammu

Over 4,600 pilgrims leave Jammu's Bhagwati Nagar base camp for Amarnath

A batch of more than 4,600 Amarnath pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here on Thursday morning amid tight security. As many as 2.90 lakh devotees have paid obeisance at the Amarnath shrine since the annual pilgrimage began on July 1. A total of 4,675 pilgrims left in a convoy of 169 vehicles for the twin base camps in Kashmir to undertake the onward journey to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine of Lord Shiva. Officials said 2,850 pilgrims, headed for Pahalgam, left in a convoy of 106 vehicles while another convoy of 63 vehicles carrying 1,825 pilgrims left for the Baltal base camp at 3.30 am and 3.45 am, respectively. The 62-day annual pilgrimage to the 3,888-metre-high cave shrine commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on July 1. The yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 31.

Heavy rains create flood-like situation in Jammu, rivers breach danger mark

Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway was suspended, while authorities ordered the closure of schools in Doda and Kishtwar districts as heavy rains lashed the Jammu region, creating a flood-like situation at many places, officials said on Wednesday. They said rivers and rivulets in many places, especially in Kathua and Samba districts, have reached close to or crossed the flood alert level. The weather office has predicted more rains in the region. Heavy rains lashed wide parts of Jammu division overnight, triggering mudslides and landslides at several places along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district, forcing authorities to suspend traffic, the officials said. "The highway is still blocked and people are advised not to travel till the restoration work is completed," a traffic department official said. The officials said the traffic on the Jammu-Pathankot highway was also diverted in Kathua district where two pillars of a bridge suffered damages due to f

15th batch of 6,200 pilgrims leave Jammu for Amarnath amid tight security

The 15th batch of more than 6,200 Amarnath pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here early on Monday morning amid tight security, officials said. As many as 2,29,221 devotees have paid obeisance at the Amarnath shrine since the annual pilgrimage began on July 1. A total of 6,648 pilgrims left in a convoy of 241 vehicles for the twin base camps in Kashmir to undertake the onward journey to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine of Lord Shiva. Officials said 3,686 pilgrims, headed for Pahalgam, left in a convoy of 132 vehicles while another convoy of 109 vehicles carrying 2,998 pilgrims left for the Baltal base camp at 3.30 am and 3.45 am, respectively. The 62-day annual pilgrimage commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on July 1. The yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 31.

Batch of over 6,600 pilgrims leaves for Amarnath from Jammu amid rain

Another batch of over 6,600 Amarnath pilgrims left the Jammu city early Sunday for Kashmir amid rain and tight security to embark on the annual pilgrimage, an official said. Over 2.10 lakh devotees have so far visited the holy cave shrine of Amarnath, situated at a height of 3,880 metres in south Kashmir Himalayas, since the beginning of the 62-day-long yatra on July 1. "The 14th batch, comprising 6,684 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar base camp Jammu for the valley in a convoy of 241 vehicles between 3.30 am and 3.55 am," the official said. The pilgrim convoy left for the two base camps, Pahalgam in Anantnag and Baltal in Ganderbal district, amid moderate rains which went on for hours drenching several parts of Jammu and leaving many roads waterlogged. According to the official, 3,686 pilgrims left for Pahalgam base camp in 132 vehicles, while 2,998 pilgrims are heading for Baltal in 109 vehicles. With the latest dispatch, a total of 86,865 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for

Amid tight security, 10th batch of 7,800 pilgrims leave Jammu for Amarnath

The 10th batch of over 7,800 Amarnath Yatra pilgrims left the Jammu base camp in the early hours of Wednesday for the twin base camps in Kashmir amid tight security arrangements, officials said. The yatra resumed from the Jammu base camp on Tuesday afternoon after remaining suspended for three days in view of the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway for repairs in the Ramban section. A total of 1,37,353 pilgrims have visited the Amarnath shrine since July 1, the officials said. The 62-day annual pilgrimage to the 3,888-metre-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on July 1. The yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 31. A total of 7,805 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here for the Valley in a convoy of 339 vehicles around 3.15 am, the officials said. They said 4,677 pilgrims are headed for Pahalgam in a convoy of 207 vehicles and 3,128 pilgrims left for

Earthquake of 4.9 magnitude jolts Jammu & Kashmir's Doda district

An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 hit Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district early Monday, the National Centre for Seismology said. The quake occurred at 5.38 am. There are no immediate reports of any damage, officials said. The epicentre was 10 km below the surface of the earth in Doda region. It occurred at latitude 33.15 degrees north and longitude 75.68 degrees east, the NCS said. According to officials, 12 tremors with varied intensity have jolted Doda since June this year. A 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit the district on June 13, causing cracks in dozens of buildings, including houses.

CRPF conducts sanitisation operation around Jammu camp of Amarnath Yatra

The CRPF is carrying out an anti-sabotage and sanitisation operation in and around the Bhagwati Nagar Amarnath Yatra base camp here to ensure the safety and security of the pilgrims camping there due to inclement weather, officials said. Assisted by sniffer dogs, metal detectors and surveillance equipment, the CPRF units conducted an extensive sanitisation exercise in the parking area and the roads leading to the base camp, the officials said. The yatra from the camp has been suspended for the second day on Sunday due to heavy rains and about 5,000-6,000 pilgrims are waiting there, they said. According to the officials, fresh batches of pilgrims were not allowed to leave Jammu due to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. More than 80,000 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas since the beginning of the yatra on July 1. The 62-day annual pilgrimage to the 3,888-metre-high shrine commenced on July 1 and is scheduled to conclude o

Jammu-Srinagar highway closed for second day, restoration work on

Traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained suspended for the second day on Sunday as authorities stepped up efforts to restore the road amid improved weather conditions, officials said. The 270-km highway, the only all weather road linking Kashmir with rest of the country, was closed for traffic on Saturday following heavy rains overnight that triggered multiple landslides and also washed away a portion of nearly 40-metre road stretch near Panthiyal tunnel in Ramban district. The closure of the highway left over 3,500 vehicles, including those carrying Amarnath pilgrims from Jammu to Kashmir, stranded at different places. After hectic efforts, the highway was partially opened for stranded vehicles with concerned agencies bypassing the damaged road stretch by connecting an old road alignment and clearing the debris, the officials said. However, they said sinking of road at Chamba near Seeri and fresh landslides at Mehar and Cafeteria Morh forced the authorities

Vehicles stranded in Udhampur after highway closed due to bad weather

Hundreds of vehicles were stranded in Udhampur on Saturday after the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed on account of bad weather

Traffic movement suspended on Jammu-Srinagar NH following landslides

Traffic movement was temporarily suspended on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and the Mughal Road here on Saturday following multiple landslides triggered by heavy overnight rainfall, officials said. Train service between Banihal and Qazigund stations has also been suspended for the day, they said. Several landslides struck the national highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, at Mehar, Cafeteria Morh, Keela Morh, Sita Ram Passi and Panthiyal in Ramban, the officials said. They said a portion of the road leading to the Panthiyal tunnel was washed away. A traffic department official said work was underway to clear the road and repair the affected sections despite the incessant rains. "People are advised not to travel on the highway till the restoration work is completed," he added. Mughal Road, an alternative link connecting the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri with the Shopian district of south Kashmir, also witnessed several

No outsider being allotted land, no change in law: J-K on Mehbooba's claims

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Wednesday said no outsider was being allotted land and there was no change in the law, hours after PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti alleged that its move to provide housing to homeless people was an attempt to change the demography of the Union Territory. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said the Jammu and Kashmir administration has started providing 150 square yard plots to landless families for the construction of their houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY). "The rural development department has identified 1.83 lakh families who do not have their own houses. We are working on it. It is a step that will not only provide a house to them but transform their lives," he had said, claiming that plots to 2,711 landless families across the union territory have already been allotted. At a press conference earlier on Wednesday, Mehbooba, the former chief minister of J-K, accused the Lt Governor's administration of importing slums and ...

J&K L-G to flag off first batch of Amarnath pilgrims from Jammu camp today

Amid multi-tier security setup, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will flag off the first batch of pilgrims for the annual Amarnath Yatra from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here on June 30, an official said on Thursday. The first batch of pilgrims will leave for the twin base camps in Kashmir to undertake a pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine of Lord Shiva in the south Kashmir Himalayas. LG Sinha will flag off the batch of pilgrims early Friday morning The 62-day-long pilgrimage will commence from Kashmir on July 1 from the twin tracks -- the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district. Over 3,500 pilgrims have arrived in Jammu for their onward journey to Amarnath. "The Yatra from Jammu will begin with the first batch of pilgrims being flagged off from Jammu base camp by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha tomorrow, an officer told PTI. He said that the Yatra will formally commence from the tw

Prices of tomato, ginger soar in Jammu amid heavy rainfall, landslides

Poor crop yield due to heavy rainfall and landslides over the past few days here has hiked the prices of vegetables such as ginger and tomato, with consumers demanding government intervention to address the issue. The recent price surge due to a demand-supply gap has posed significant challenges for low-income individuals who struggle to afford essential commodities. With tomatoes priced at around Rs 120 per kg and ginger at Rs 400 per kg, people are being compelled to forgo these items, Bharat Bhushan, a customer, said. Bhushan emphasised the urgent need for government intervention to alleviate the burden of price hikes on poor families. Local vegetable vendors have attributed the low crop yield of ginger and tomatoes to the heavy rainfall owing to the ongoing monsoon. We have witnessed a price hike in ginger and tomatoes as the heavy rainfall has adversely affected crop production. Every monsoon, there is a price hike in vegetables, especially mountain-grown vegetables because o

Jammu sees joyous celebrations of Eid; Indo-Pak troops exchange sweets

Jammu delved in joyous celebrations of Eid-ul-Adha on Thursday with a large number of people gathering at mosques to offer prayers for the peace and prosperity of the country. In Poonch, Indian and Pakistani troops came together at Rahe Milan to celebrate the Eid by exchanging sweets and gifts. Eid-al-Adha, also known as the festival of sacrifice, holds significant religious and cultural importance among Muslims worldwide. The main congregation took place at the Eidgah and Mecca Masjid in Jammu, where hundreds of people performed Namaz-e-Eid. "In Jammu, the biggest congregation takes place at here at Eidgah. The spirit of brotherhood sets a remarkable example. Apart from commemorating the Prophet's sacrifice, we prayed for the peace and prosperity of our nation," Gulam Mohmmad, a local resident, said. Sonaullah Malik, who also offered prayers at Mecca Masjid in Bhatindi area, said that on the day, people of different faiths come together to support and celebrate with Muslims, plyi

On-the-spot registration of pilgrims starts in Jammu for Amarnath Yatra

The city administration on Thursday began the process for on-the-spot registration of devotees arriving here for the pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas. Over 1,500 pilgrims, including sadhus, have arrived in Jammu city for the yatra to the 3,880-metre shrine starting on July 2. While an on-the-spot registration centre has been set up for unregistered pilgrims in Shalimar area of the city, a special camp for registration of sadhus has been set up at Purani Mandi-based Ram temple complex. Amid tight security arrangements, over 1000 pilgrims have arrived at the Bhagwati-Nagar base camp here for their onward journey to Kashmir, officials said. The 62-day-long pilgrimage will commence on July 1 from the twin tracks the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The registration of un-registered pilgrims arriving here from all parts of the country have begun on-the-spot

Rajnath Singh arrives in Jammu, to address national security conclave

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived here for a day-long visit during which he will address a national security conclave before reviewing with senior BJP leaders the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Monday. Accompanied by Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Singh was received at the airport by the BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit chief Ravinder Raina and other senior leaders, including MP Jugal Kishore and Jammu Mayor Rajinder Sharma, they said. Shortly after his arrival, Singh drove to the University of Jammu, the venue of the security conclave -- organised to highlight the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government. Around 1,500 special invitees, including defence experts, retired decorated army officers, academics, doctors and youth, are attending the conclave. During the non-political event, the defence minister will share the "strong position" of India in defence and other matters concerning the nation's ..

Shah lays foundation of forensic laboratory, inaugurates multiple projects

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday laid the foundation stone of a central forensic science laboratory in Samba and inaugurated several development projects in Jammu. Addressing an event here, Shah highlighted the progress being made in Jammu and Kashmir under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He listed various projects being implemented in the region. These include the forensic science laboratory in Samba having a budget of Rs 100 crore, 41 water supply schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission in Ramban and Kishtwar with a combined cost of Rs 157.47 crore, a multi-storey parking facility at the Doda bus stand at a cost of Rs 32.46 crore, a bone and joint hospital in Bakshi Nagar (Rs 40.86 crore), a grid station (Rs 17.77 crore), and the upgradation of the road from Dogra Chowk to KC Chowk with an investment of Rs 25 crore. Shah also released a book highlighting the achievement of the government in Jammu and Kashmir. "Jammu and Kashmir, under the leadership of Prime

Light intensity earthquake hits J-K's Ramban district, says NCS data

A light intensity earthquake, measuring 3 on the Richter scale, hit J&K's Ramban district on Saturday, data released by the National Center for Seismology (NCS) said.

Sadhus from across India reach Jammu for upcoming Amarnath Yatra

Sadhus from across the country have started flocking to the winter capital Jammu to join the annual Amarnath pilgrimage which is scheduled to start in the Valley next month. Over 200 Sadhus, including women, have arrived at their traditional Ram Mandir base camp in the old city's Purani Mandi area and are upbeat to offer their prayers at the 3,880-metre high holy cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, housing the naturally formed ice-Shivling. The 62-day long pilgrimage will commence on July 1 from the twin tracks -- the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in the Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in the Ganderbal district. The first batch of pilgrims, including a group of Sadhus, is leaving for the Yatra from Jammu on June 30. I am performing the Yatra for the first time and waiting eagerly to reach Kashmir, the name of which fills our chest with pride as Kashmir to Kanyakumari is India, a 58-year-old sadhu from Andhra Pradesh, Vasudevanand Sarawar

5 earthquakes hit Jammu region in a day, educational institutes shut

Five earthquakes jolted the Jammu region on Wednesday and triggered panic among residents, a day after a 5.4 magnitude quake hit the Doda district of the Union Territory. The fresh earthquakes have prompted the administration to shut down educational institutes in twin mountainous districts of Doda and Kishtwar. Officials said the earthquakes that occurred in the Jammu region on Wednesday causes some damage to property but there were no reports so far of any casualties. In Kishtwar, a 3.3 magnitude quake was recorded at 8.29 am. Its epicentre was at a depth of five kilometers, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). Prior to that, tremors of magnitude 3.5 were recorded in Doda at 7.56 am and the epicenter was at a depth of 10 kilometers, data from the NCS showed. Two more earthquakes were recorded in the early hours of the day as well. At 2.20 am, a 4.3 magnitude quake was recorded in the Doda district at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the data. The other