Srinagar, Sep 18: Special prayers were held at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar for peace and an end to the suffering and loss of innocent lives in Iran, Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen ans Ukraine, as well as in other conflict-affected parts of the world. With raised hands and moist eyes, the congregation beseeched Almighty Allah for mercy, peace, justice and relief for all those enduring the pain and devastation of war.
Addressing the Friday congregation, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq appealed to people to support and actively participate in the social reform initiatives recently adopted by the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema Jammu & Kashmir.
Referring to the recent Ulema conference, Mirwaiz said scholars from different regions and schools of thought had deliberated upon some of the most pressing challenges facing society, including drug addiction, suicides and emotional distress among youth, misuse of social media, weakening family bonds, environmental degradation and the need to strengthen harmony within the community.
He said that conferences and resolutions alone cannot bring about change unless people themselves become part of the effort. The purpose of such initiatives, he said, is to turn concern and discussion into practical action within families, mosques, neighbourhoods and communities.
Quoting the Qur’anic verse, “Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves,” Mirwaiz said meaningful reform must begin from within and society cannot always wait for others to act.
He said, “Collectively, we have to think, reflect and act. Ulema, parents, youth, mosques, madrasas and the wider community and sceptically parents have a role to play.” Social reform, he added, must become a shared responsibility.
Mirwaiz said that common social issues would be taken up in Friday sermons across participating mosques so that sustained attention could be brought to matters affecting society. He appealed to people to support these efforts and carry the discussion forward within their homes and communities.
He also reiterated that the Mimbar is an Amanah, a sacred trust, and should be used to guide people, unite hearts, promote mutual respect and address the real concerns of society, rather than deepen sectarian divisions.
Mirwaiz said lasting change can only come when people themselves participate in the process of reform and take responsibility for improving their homes, neighbourhoods and communities.
Mirwaiz also apprised the congregation of his recent meetings with Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during which he conveyed solidarity with the people of Iran and spoke about the deep historical, cultural and religious ties between Kashmir and Iran.
He said the Iranian leadership had shown interest in visiting Kashmir, and that he had extended an invitation to them to visit.
New Delhi, Sep 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday received a telephone call from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the two leaders exchanged views on developments in West Asia and ways to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The prime minister and the UAE president reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation and coordination in efforts to promote regional peace, security and stability, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said.
The two leaders also discussed new measures to further deepen the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including in the areas of energy, defence, technology, investment and health.
“Grateful to my brother, the President of UAE, HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his call and birthday wishes. We discussed measures to further deepen our bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and exchanged views on efforts to promote regional peace, security and stability,” Modi said in a post on X.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephone call from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE President conveyed warm greetings on the Prime Minister’s birthday,” the statement said.
The prime minister turned 76 on Thursday.
The two leaders exchanged views on developments in West Asia, and they reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation and coordination in efforts to promote regional peace, security and stability, the statement said.
The UAE President also congratulated the Prime Minister on India’s successful BRICS Presidency.
Modi appreciated the participation of UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled in the BRICS Summit and the UAE’s cooperation and partnership in achieving substantive outcomes under India’s presidency.
Srinagar, Sep 18: As part of its continued crackdown on narcotics-related activities, J&K Police in Shopian have attached a residential house constructed on land measuring 1065 sq. ft., bearing Khasra/Survey No. 1327, situated at village Melhura, valued at ₹16,56,385/- belonging to Farooq Ahmad Shah adopted son of Ghulam Hassan Shah resident of Melhura. In addition cash amounting to ₹4,73,500/- has also been frozen/seized.
The residential property and cash were identified as having been acquired through proceeds generated from the illegal trade of drugs and narcotics. Accordingly, the residential house and cash have been attached/ frozen under Section 68-F(1) of the NDPS Act in connection with FIR No. 58/2024 of Police Station Zainapora. The attachment/freezing proceedings were carried out in the presence of a duly constituted police team, Executive Magistrate, Lambardar and Chowkidar ensuring compliance with the prescribed legal procedures and maintaining transparency throughout the proceedings.
Police reiterated its firm commitment to eradicating the menace of drugs by targeting not only those involved in illicit drug-related activities but also the financial assets and properties linked to such activities. They urged the general public to come forward and share any information regarding drug trafficking or related activities with the police.
Jammu, Sep 18: In a major public-safety initiative, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) on Friday ordered a survey of dilapidated, dangerous and structurally unsafe buildings across the city, with particular attention to Old City and institutional buildings where many people reside or gather.
JMC Commissioner Devansh Yadav said the corporation had been receiving complaints about ageing and unsafe structures in the Old City for some time, with risks becoming particularly acute during the monsoon season.
“Over the past year, we have identified around 15 buildings that were unsafe, got them officially declared unsafe, and subsequently had them demolished. Now, as part of a fresh initiative, we have constituted ward-level joint teams comprising engineers and enforcement officers to identify and physically inspect potentially hazardous structures,” Yadav told PTI.
He mentioned that these teams have been instructed to complete their assessments and submit detailed reports within 15 days.
“The teams will assess buildings for structural deficiencies and other indicators of danger, including the condition of structural columns, foundations, water seepage, signs of severe deterioration and landslide-related risks. The reports will include details of the location and ownership of the structures, their physical condition, the nature of the danger posed and recommendations for further action,” he said.
The JMC commissioner highlighted that the initiative would focus particularly on institutional buildings, given the number of people who may be exposed to risk in case of a structural failure.
In the residential category, structures that are 50 years old or older, especially those showing significant signs of dilapidation, will also be examined.
“Since engineers will also be part of these teams, the inspection will be carried out on the spot, and the report will also be prepared at the site itself,” Yadav said.
He clarified that the JMC would not automatically demolish every unsafe structure; structural engineers affiliated with the corporation would also consider whether unsafe buildings could be secured through retrofitting or structural strengthening.
Based on the ward-level inspection reports, structures requiring immediate intervention will be prioritised for prompt action under the relevant provisions of the Municipal Corporation Act, he added.
Alongside the building-safety exercise, Yadav said the JMC has introduced an AI-based system for detecting potholes and other urban infrastructure problems.
He noted that potholes become a major concern after the monsoon, while conventional processes involving project approvals and tenders can take considerable time.
“The new system is intended to enable the corporation to identify problems before they result in accidents or prolonged public inconvenience. Under the system, cameras mounted on JMC garbage collection vehicles scan roads as the vehicles move through the city. The technology identifies potholes and can also detect other problems, including roadside garbage dumps, fallen poles and similar civic issues,” he said.
Yadav stated that the identified locations will be compiled into a list for field teams, which can then visit the sites and undertake the necessary repairs.
This initiative, he emphasised, is aimed at ensuring timely resolution of urban grievances, a crucial aspect of the smart city approach.
Ujjain, Sep 18: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday said India’s understanding of the concept of ‘dharma’ was distinct from Western notions of religion, asserting that the country has not discriminated among different faiths and this was its understanding of secularism.
Addressing around 1,700 Gen Z participants at the ‘Yuva Dharma Sansad’ here, Bhagwat said he was happy to see youngsters discussing ‘dharma’ at a time when some considered it an old people’s affair.
“Our state has always been intermingling. It does not discriminate among its people. This is the meaning of ‘panth-nirpekshata’ for us,” he said.
Bhagwat said the Western concept of secularism emerged from conflicts between rulers and religious authorities, and therefore, did not fit the Indian context in the same manner.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief said India had traditionally viewed material and spiritual aspects of life together rather than separating them.
Distinguishing between ‘dharma’ and religion, Bhagwat said that the two should not be treated as synonymous.
‘Dharma’ is above religion, he said, adding that while the latter binds, the former liberates and leads to ‘moksha’ (salvation).
He noted that the English language had no exact equivalent for the Indian concept, and the word ‘religion’ had historically been used to explain it to Western audiences.
Bhagwat said religion could become sectarian when separated from ‘dharma’, which he described as being based on truth, compassion, purity and self-discipline.
“Dharma is not something to be discovered; it has to be recognised and practised,” he said.
He described ‘dharma’ as a principle that sustains the universe, promotes the progress of all and determines duties, while taking into account the nature of every living being and object.
The RSS chief further noted that ‘dharma’ was reflected in human conduct and urged the young participants to shed prejudices if they wanted to understand it.
He also linked ‘dharma’ with environmental responsibility, saying human beings had a duty to protect nature. Destruction of forests and environmental degradation amounted to ‘adharma’ (unrighteousness), Bhagwat asserted.
He urged young people to respect other forms of worship while remaining committed to their own traditions.
Bhagwat said India’s tradition sought to unite people rather than divide them and maintained that the country had historically tried to help even those who differed from it or caused it difficulties.
Referring to his recent visits to New York, Toronto and London, Bhagwat said people there and Indian entrepreneurs had sought the “dharmic view” on business and wealth creation.
Bhagwat said they were concerned that their businesses were generating not only happiness but also suffering.
He questioned the pursuit of excessive wealth at the cost of family life, citing the example of people leaving home at 5 am and returning at midnight in order to earn more money, only to find that their children hardly know the people who come to their place on holidays.
He said such an imbalance in development was unhealthy, comparing it with the growth of only one part of the body while the rest remained unchanged.
Explaining the ‘dharmic’ approach to business, Bhagwat said it involved giving back to society.
He cited the tradition of business communities building ‘dharamshalas’ and charitable hospitals, where people were provided services without being charged, comparing them with corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of today.
He said ‘dharma’ flourished through human sacrifice and giving, and quoted a Sanskrit saying to stress the importance of sacrifice for fulfilment in material and spiritual life.
Bhagwat said there was no restriction on earning wealth but people should retain only what was necessary for themselves and share the rest with others.
“Your life should move forward in such a way that the lives of others also move forward,” he said, stressing that one’s livelihood should not cause suffering to others.
Citing a Buddhist teaching, Bhagwat said ‘dharma’ meant refraining from causing pain to others, earning one’s livelihood efficiently and ensuring that one’s earnings did not come by depriving or harming others.
Bhagwat said India had remained economically prosperous for about 1,600 years without the kind of environmental damage seen today and referred to the country’s long agricultural tradition.
He also urged the youth to become successful as well as purposeful and contribute to creating a world marked by happiness and peace.
Around 300 scholars, teachers, researchers and religious leaders are participating in the Yuva Dharma Sansad, organisers said.
The RSS has stepped up its outreach to Gen Z following a massive students’ protest over NEET exam paper leaks at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, which brought youth discontent to the fore and led to the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will attend the concluding session on September 19.
The three-day event, organised by Sevagya Sansthanam, is the sixth edition of the Yuva Dharma Sansad, following events in Kashi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar and Kanchipuram. The event will be held in Dwarka next year.
Peshawar, Sep 18: At least 16 people were killed and dozens injured in a powerful suicide blast during Friday prayers at a mosque near police lines in northwest Pakistan’s Kohat district, officials said.
The blast occurred at the mosque located near the old Police Lines in Kohat, around 60 kilometres southwest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s capital Peshawar, they said.
According to preliminary information, an attacker rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the mosque premises, following which an exchange of fire with armed militants took place.
At least 16 people, including five police personnel and 11 civilians, were killed in the suicide blast, provincial Police Chief Zulfiqar Hameed said.
“The vehicle hit the gate and then exploded, and firing also took place,” he said, adding that another suicide blast occurred at the Special Branch building during the exchange of fire with terrorists.
A little-known militant group, Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack. The group, an alliance comprising the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, Harakat Inqilab-e-Islami Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Islam, was formed in April 2025.
Citing District Headquarters Hospital’s MS Tahir Ali Shah, Geo News reported that 15 bodies were brought to the hospital along with over 50 injured following the blast.
The blast was so powerful that the roof of the mosque collapsed due to its impact, police said, adding that the blast also caused a crater outside the mosque.
Most of those wounded were worshippers. Video footage from the site showed the bodies of worshippers lying inside the mosque.
According to Rescue 1122 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa spokesperson Bilal Ahmad Faizi, rescue teams reached the site shortly after receiving the information and launched a rescue operation.
He said rescue teams shifted several injured to nearby hospitals.
Following the blast, provincial police chief Hameed sought a report from the district’s regional police officer. He directed authorities to ensure timely and best possible medical treatment for the injured.
“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police stands as an iron wall against terrorism, and such cowardly attacks cannot weaken our resolve,” he said.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have condemned the incident and vowed that the complete elimination of foreign-sponsored terrorists was “essential for national security”.
Sharif also sought a report on the blast from the concerned authorities. He also directed authorities to expedite relief operations, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.
KPK Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the blast, saying the “entire nation stands with the security forces to eradicate terrorism.”
Provincial Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also sought a report from the police chief into the blast.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terror activities, particularly in its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces in the past few years.
Jammu, Sep 18: General Officer Commanding (GOC) White Knight Corps Lieutenant General P K Mishra on Friday reviewed the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Brattal area of Udhampur district, officials said.
They said the Army commander visited the general area of Brattal, Udhampur and reviewed the evolving security environment, operational dynamics and measures to sustain relentless operational tempo, ensuring a swift, coordinated and decisive response to emerging threats.
During his visit, the GOC commended the successful neutralisation of two terrorists, and lauded the troops of White Knight Corps for their resolute action, high morale and unwavering commitment. He was accompanied by GOC Delta Force.
The visit comes a day after two Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammad militants were killed and an alleged over-ground worker was detained in a remote high-altitude area of Udhampur district. The joint operation was launched by the Army, Police and CRPF in the dense Brattal Sohan and Khubban forests of Majalta bordering Kathua district.
New Delhi, Sep 18: Gold staged a sharp comeback on Friday, rising Rs 1,600 to Rs 1.56 lakh per 10 grams in the national capital as retreating crude oil rates eased inflation concerns and gave investors room to return to bullion after the recent sell-off.
The yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity appreciated Rs 1,600 to Rs 1,56,600 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) from Thursday’s closing level of Rs 1.55 lakh per 10 grams, according to local traders.
Silver also joined the rebound, climbing Rs 5,000 to Rs 2.47 lakh per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes). The white metal had ended flat at Rs 2.42 lakh per kg in the preceding session.
“Gold recovered sharply after the recent sell-off as the dollar and US Treasury yields eased, with investors reassessing positions following the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike,” Gaurav Garg, Head of Research at brokerage platform Lemonn, said.
Silver outperformed gold, while oil fell for a third straight session to USD 101-a-barrel as expectations of restored Saudi supply and alternative shipping routes eased immediate supply-disruption fears.
However, tensions in West Asia remain a risk, he added.
The recovery tracked global bullion markets, with spot gold rising USD 50.96, or 1.17 per cent, to USD 4,392.78 per ounce. Silver advanced 3.10 per cent to USD 67.21.
“Spot gold has extended its counter-intuitive rally to the second straight day as decline in oil prices negates the hawkish FOMC monetary policy decision to some extent,” Praveen Singh, Head of Commodities at Mirae Asset Sharekhan, said.
Gold-backed ETF holdings recorded net inflows for the eighth consecutive day, taking total global holdings to 100.39 million ounces (Moz), up 1.44 Moz year-to-date, he said.
However, elevated US dollar and Treasury yields capped bullion’s gains.
Srinagar, Sep 18: From battling unemployment and financial uncertainty to navigating the upheaval of the Covid-19 pandemic, Kashmiri engineer Qasim Afzal has had to overcome more than his share of setbacks. He chose to confront each challenge head-on, and today, his perseverance has taken his company to Sheikh Zayed Road, one of the prominent business corridors in the UAE.
From working on major infrastructure projects to navigating the uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic and eventually building Atom Inspections, a property inspection and engineering consultancy, Afzal’s story is one of resilience, persistence and purpose.
“Sometimes, you have to leave home to truly serve it. I left Kashmir not to walk away, but to return one day with knowledge, experience, and the ability to create opportunities for others and make better generations,” Qasim says.
His professional journey began alongside his father, a government contractor involved in infrastructure and building projects. He later worked on the Delhi Metro project and the Riyadh Metro Bus Project with a Turkish contractor. Planning to return to Srinagar and build the family business, he resigned and moved home. But within a month, Article 370 was abrogated, prompting him and his father to make the difficult decision for him to leave again—this time for Dubai.
Qasim arrived in Dubai without a professional network, only to face another major challenge when the Covid-19 pandemic brought economic activity to a standstill. He spent five months without a job, and after finding employment, faced salary delays lasting more than a year. He says those experiences ultimately taught him resilience.
His entry into the property handover industry proved to be a turning point. Working on the developer’s side, he saw homeowners making one of the biggest investments of their lives while often lacking the technical support needed to ensure they received the quality they had paid for.
That experience led to a simple question: Why not fix the process instead of accepting it?
“That question became a vision. And that vision became Atom Inspections – built to bridge the gap between construction and customer confidence, ensuring every property owner receives the quality, transparency, and technical expertise they deserve,” he says.
Qasim says he chose property inspection because it was an area where his construction and project-delivery experience could directly address a real problem.
“I don’t believe in building a business in a field where I don’t have deep knowledge. I believe the best businesses are created by identifying real problems and providing the right solutions at the right time,” he says.
The early years were challenging, involving financial constraints, licensing requirements, the task of winning clients’ trust and competition from established businesses. Qasim says the company gradually built its reputation by focusing on technical excellence, integrity and putting clients first.
His original inspiration came from his experience during property handovers. At the time, he says, only a small proportion of homeowners appointed independent inspection companies. He observed that some inspection reports failed to adequately identify or technically explain defects, creating a gap between homeowners, inspectors and contractors.
Qasim believed an independent engineering consultancy could help bridge that gap by identifying defects, producing technically sound reports and guiding homeowners through the handover process.
Growing from a modest beginning
Atom Inspections began with what Qasim describes as a modest investment in essential inspection equipment, reporting systems, licensing and operations. The company reinvested its earnings into technology, its engineering team and customer experience.
Qasim and his team Photograph: (GK)
Today, according to Qasim, the company has more than 100 professionals, including civil, structural, MEP, HVAC, facility management and building surveying specialists. It has completed more than 40,000 property inspections across the UAE, covering apartments, villas, luxury residences, commercial buildings, community assets, reserve fund studies, building condition audits and technical due diligence assignments.
The company has also undertaken large-scale assignments involving community transitions, reserve fund studies, asset registers, facility management audits, building condition assessments and technical due diligence for developers, owners’ associations, facility managers and institutional clients. Qasim lists DP World, Damac Properties, Beeah, LOAMS and Ajman Holding among its clients.
The company’s emphasis on detailed reporting and professional service is also reflected in customer reviews shared with the feature. Clients have praised Atom Inspections for its thorough inspections, clear reports, communication and support during snagging and handover processes.
Building on innovation
Qasim says Atom Inspections aims to go beyond conventional snagging services and position itself as a broader real estate engineering and property consultancy.
“We don’t see ourselves as just another snagging company. We are a comprehensive real estate engineering and property consultancy dedicated to improving quality, transparency, and confidence throughout the property lifecycle,” he says.
The company has introduced practical engineering approaches to its inspection processes, including golf-ball testing to assess floor and surface slopes. Qasim says such methods reflect its effort to improve inspection accuracy and raise industry standards.
“We don’t aim to compete on price; we aim to lead through innovation, technical excellence, and trust,” he says.
Keeping Kashmir at the heart of the journey
Despite building his business in Dubai, Qasim says Kashmir remains central to his long-term vision. “Kashmir will always remain close to my heart. My long-term vision is to bring the knowledge, engineering standards, and professional practices developed in the UAE back to my home region,” he says.
He sees potential to improve construction quality, asset management and building lifecycle planning in Kashmir, while also planning expansion into other GCC countries and selected international markets.
The company also employs professionals from Kashmir and other backgrounds, with Qasim saying recruitment is based on competence, integrity, honesty and commitment to excellence.
Qasim Afzal posing for a photograph at his office in Dubai. Photograph: (GK)
For young entrepreneurs from Kashmir, his message is centred on purpose rather than money.
“Don’t start a business simply to make money. Instead, identify the gaps around you and dedicate yourself to solving real problems. When you create genuine value, success becomes a by-product of your work,” he says.
He also urges young entrepreneurs to remain grounded in their values, define meaningful goals and have the courage to create their own path.
A growing role for independent inspections
Qasim believes the rapid growth of Dubai’s real estate sector is making independent property inspections increasingly important. With rising off-plan sales, international investment and large residential developments, buyers are seeking independent technical experts to assess construction quality before taking possession. Developers, facility managers and owners’ associations are also placing greater emphasis on quality assurance, asset management and building condition assessments.
For Qasim, the journey from Kashmir to Dubai ultimately comes back to the same principle that inspired Atom Inspections: identify a genuine problem, build expertise around solving it and create value that extends beyond business.
“Sometimes, you have to leave home to truly serve it,” he says.
And for a Kashmiri entrepreneur who began his journey with little more than determination, the story of Atom Inspections continues to evolve—from a modest idea born out of a gap in the property handover process into a growing UAE-based engineering consultancy with ambitions that extend well beyond Dubai.
Kathmandu, Sep 18: Six bodies were recovered from a tunnel at a hydropower project in Nepal on Friday as search operations continued for people missing after devastating flash floods hit the Himalayan nation last month killing over 1,400 people and leaving more than 6,100 missing.
The bodies were recovered from the Audit-3 tunnel at the Upper Trishuli-1 project site in Nuwakot district by a joint team of security forces, the Nepal Army said.
The Bhotekoshi flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal, killing at least 1,410 people and leaving 6,145 missing as of Thursday.
The search and rescue teams have so far rescued more than 13,756 people from different affected areas.
The bodies in the Upper Trishuli-1 were found entangled inside a steel reinforcement mesh prepared for concrete work in the tunnel. The team used grinders, gas cutters and rotary rescue equipment to remove them, according to the Nepal Army Headquarters.
The search operation is continuing as rescuers suspect that more bodies could be buried under mud inside the tunnel.
A joint team, including foreign technicians, had earlier entered about 400 metres into the main access tunnel at the project to search for missing workers.
Search operations have also been underway at several other hydropower projects, including Rasuwagadhi, Rasuwa Bhotekoshi, Langtang, Trishuli-3A and Upper Trishuli-3B.
At the Chilime hydropower project, five bodies were recovered from a tunnel on Wednesday after Indian and Nepali rescue teams cleared slush and mud to reach the underground powerhouse. No survivors were found.
Meanwhile, the Tribhuvan and Kanti highways, the two main routes connecting Hetauda with Kathmandu, resumed regular two-way vehicular movement from Friday, according to Santosh Subedi, administrative officer at the District Administration Office in Makawanpur.
The move followed the resumption of traffic at the Krishnabhir section of the Prithvi Highway in Dhading district, which had been obstructed after the road collapsed following the August 26 floods.
The Tribhuvan Highway connects Hetauda with Kathmandu via Palung-Naubise, while the Kanti Highway connects the two cities via Tikabhairav-Lalitpur.
Since September 1, an arrangement has been in place for goods carriers and large vehicles to use the Tribhuvan Highway to reach Kathmandu and the Kanti Highway while returning, aimed at ensuring smoother and safer traffic movement after the Prithvi Highway obstruction.
With the Krishnabhir section now operational, both highways have been opened for regular two-way traffic, Subedi said.
