Jammu, Feb 12: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday announced that two elevated corridors would be constructed, one each in Jammu and Kashmir to decongest the two capital cities.

He also informed the House that the study and e-auction of Lithium in Reasi was targeted in June 2026.

Choudhary was replying to the debate in the Legislative Assembly on demands for grants of departments under his charge.

With regard to the permanent restoration of damaged road infrastructure in recent floods, mainly affecting Jammu region, an estimate of Rs 1000 Cr was submitted to the Finance department for taking up (restoration) works under SASCI, Choudhary said.

“In the meanwhile, the department has authorized the field agencies to initiate the execution process for works worth over Rs 500 Cr under Priority-I,” he said.

“I personally monitored the permanent restoration of Tawi’s fourth bridge, carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 19.50 Cr besides Jammu-Surinsar-Mansar road revival,” he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted key completions including Sanatnagar flyover, 5 bridges in Kupwara, Trenz and Rohomo bridges, Joothana in Kathua and Saiphagla Bridge in Jammu besides two other bridges. Five more bridges are expected to be completed in March 2026, he added. He said that 35 PMGSY-III bridges have been completed, with 15 more due for completion by March 2026. Over 2,500 km of road has been macadamized this financial year.

“In the budget for 2026-27, to decongest the Jammu and Srinagar cities, the R&B department has proposed two elevated corridors – one at Jammu and the other at Kashmir under UT capex. Construction of corridor from Convent School at Rajbagh to Sangarmal, Srinagar and from the National Highway Flyover Talab Tillo to Maheshpura Chowk, Jammu. Widening of Boulevard road has already been taken up under CRF, which will be expedited,” he announced.

Maintaining that there was 70 percent improvement in the functioning of the R&B department, he asserted that he won’t tolerate the lapses on this account. “I’ve worked hard to bring the system back on rails. There will be no compromise with quality in the execution of works. Similarly, I would not allow any officers’ nexus with the contractors. I assure the people of J&K from the House and the MLAs that no laxity by officials on any account will be tolerated in all the departments under my charge,” he said.

Earlier BJP MLA Pawan Gupta had alleged that Central Vigilance Commission guidelines were being violated in R&B tenders.

Choudhary highlighted the focus on Industries and Commerce to boost investment and MSME growth and efforts under Mission YUVA to promote entrepreneurship and employment in J&K.

He said that the Skill Development ecosystem was being strengthened to align with the market demand and preserve traditional crafts. Besides, emphasis is being given on sustainable resource utilization and policy reforms for infrastructure growth under the Mining sector.

He informed that the government created over 40,000 km of road network in Jammu and Kashmir to improve surface connectivity, he said.

“Under Chief Minister’s guidance, we have achieved major milestones in J&K’s road infrastructure, completing several long-pending projects and improving the regional connectivity,” he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that 18 major MoRTH projects are in the pipeline during the current financial year. He added that 22 strategically important projects, primarily bridges have been inaugurated.

The Deputy Chief Minister said 1,145 NABARD projects worth Rs 5,245 Cr have been sanctioned, with 525 completed, including 372 projects completed during the last two years, and 620 ongoing. He informed that 41 projects (32 roads, 9 bridges) have been sanctioned under SASCI, with 4 completed and 37 ongoing. Under Capex 2025-26, 7,068 works were sanctioned, with 3,932 targeted for completion by March 2026.

“The department has received 2276 works having a tentative cost of Rs 2333.7 Cr from the Finance Department on account of demand submitted by the MLAs during budget discussion 2025-26,” he shared with the House. Regarding human resources, the Deputy Chief Minister said key posts like Secretary Technical and 7 Chief Engineers were filled up after 2 years besides several promotions. The department has filled up 34 Superintending Engineer and 89 Executive Engineer posts. It is also in process of filling up posts of over 125 Assistant Executive Engineer and 150 Assistant Engineer in next 2 months.

Speaking on grants for Industries and Commerce Department, the Deputy CM said that this year the department was focusing on grounding investments, strengthening MSMEs, easing business, promoting start-ups and protecting traditional sectors like handloom and handicrafts.

Later, the House passed the grants amounting Rs 5,29,842.67 lakh for Public Works, Rs 86, 615.70 lakh for Industries and Commerce, Rs 28, 526.22 lakh for Labour and Employment, Rs 19,881.72 lakh for Skill Development and Rs 6,492.81 lakh for Mining Departments through a voice vote after the MLAs withdrew their cut motions.

Jammu, Feb 12: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday called upon the people to celebrate India’s grand renaissance. He said for thousands of years, the sacred land of India has journeyed toward spiritual excellence, with our saints and great souls reaching the pinnacle of consciousness.

“In near future, India alone will guide the world towards the right path. The society, especially the youth should also recognize and harness its spiritual fire alongside its technological & scientific prowess to surpass other nations in developmental journey,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor, as per an official statement was speaking at the Dyar Daham celebrations, part of Mahashivratri Festivities, at Mata Bhadrakali Asthapan in Thalwal, Jammu. He paid obeisance to Maa Shakti and Lord Shiva, and offered his prayers for peace and prosperity to bless everyone.

The Lieutenant Governor observed that India has always placed the pursuit of truth above all else.

“Our ancient culture has long championed peace, global brotherhood, the erasure of social divides, mutual love among all, and steadfast adherence to dharma.

In today’s world, where nations race ahead with one technological marvel after another, we must connect hearts just as deeply,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor said that India is sparking two revolutions at once – “The outer one empowers infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy. The inner one transforms consciousness, values, and a global vision for society”.

“We are not just conquering quantum computing; we are awakening a quantum consciousness in daily life. This dual revolution will make India not merely prosperous, but a balanced superpower,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor highlighted that India’s strength lies not just in its human resources, innovations, startups, science and space tech but also in inner spiritual flame, ignited for millennia through wisdom and meditation.

“India’s ancient wisdom proves spirituality and scientific discovery aren’t foes but allies. For India, science labs and ashrams aren’t rivals; they are twin milestones on the same path.

Our rishis and sages were the original scientists, excelling in both realms. The world now acknowledges that India gifted humanity knowledge and spirituality, paving the way for modern progress,” the Lieutenant Governor further said.

On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor laid the foundation stone for the cultural heritage centre at Mata Bhadrakali Asthapan. He also commended the NHPC for undertaking the works worth Rs 6.60 cr for infrastructure development at Thalwal including community facility enhancement, development of ghat, parking, yagya shala, protection and compound wall, fencing and installation of gate.

Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary, Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary Home; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range; Dileep ji Pandita, President, Mata Bhadrakali Asthapan Trust Thalwal; Ram Swaroop, Executive Director, NHPC, Regional Office Jammu; Dr Rakesh Minhas, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; Dr Arvind Karwani, Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner; senior officials, members of Mata Bhadrakali Asthapan Trust and people from different walks of life also joined the celebrations.

Jammu, Feb 12: During its 50th Board meeting, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) today approved setting up Laser and Sound Show dedicated to ‘Baba Barfani’, to be hosted in both Srinagar and Jammu. The show will also serve as a cultural beacon, highlighting the rich spiritual history of the Union Territory.

The Board also announced that the Pratham Pooja for the 2026 pilgrimage will be performed on June 29, 2026 on the occasion of Jyeshtha Purnimaa. The formal commencement date for the Yatra will be finalized soon.

The meeting was chaired by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB).

The Board approved various key measures and interventions to further enhance the spiritual experience and convenience of devotees for the upcoming 2026 Yatra.

Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board decided to enhance the accidental insurance cover for registered yatris, service providers, officials, seasonal workers and pujaris from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

The Board also discussed and approved various welfare measures for SASB employees.

The Lieutenant Governor directed the officials for identifying spots for installation of suitable toilet facilities enroute the yatra.

He further directed installation of shelter sheds and rain shelters on tracks for pilgrims, service providers and security personnel.

The meeting also discussed ongoing projects, dissemination of Yatra-related information, insurance cover for ponies; extension of online and pre-paid services; registration of pilgrims; disaster preparedness and mitigation measures; adequate provisioning of medical care facilities; langar and volunteer services, telecommunication, grid connectivity; Weather Forecasting Infrastructure & Systems, security and surveillance; digital pre-paid system for hiring services, laying of crash barriers and safety railings along vulnerable stretches on both routes and the progress achieved on various ongoing works undertaken by different departments.

Reviewing the maintenance, restoration and development of Yatra tracks by Border Roads Organization, the Board was informed that the BRO has registered a significant progress, achieving comfortable track width on both Baltal and Pahalgam routes.

Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, gave a detailed presentation regarding the arrangements for the upcoming Yatra.

The meeting was attended by Members of the Shrine Board- Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Prof. Kailash Mehra Sadhu, K.K.Sharma, K.N.Rai, Mukesh Garg, Dr. Shailesh Raina, Dr. Simridhi Bindroo, Suresh Haware and Prof. Vishwamurti Shastri.

Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department; Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department; Nalin Prabhat, DGP; Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary Home; Santosh D. Vaidya, Principal Secretary, Finance; Administrative Secretaries; Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; IGPs; Deputy Commissioners (Ganderbal and Anantnag); Additional CEO SASB and senior officers of the UT Administration, BRO and Shrine Board also attended the meeting, in person and through virtual mode, at Lok Bhavan Jammu.