Srinagar, Jul 5: Several areas in Budgam district have no direct access to the Srinagar Semi Ring Road despite the highway passing through central Kashmir, forcing commuters to take long detours once the project becomes operational.
Commuters from Budgam and Beerwah will have to travel more than 20 and 30 kilometres, respectively, to reach either the Narbal junction or Wathoora-Chadoora to access the highway for travel to Srinagar, North or South Kashmir

Those from Khansahib must travel 20 km to reach the Wathoora junction, and Doodhpathri, an emerging tourist destination, will have to travel over 30 kilometres to reach either junction.
Along the Beerwah-Budgam district road, the elevated Ring Road has come up without approach roads, service lanes or designated entry and exit points at several locations, particularly near Kawnar-Nasrullahpora.
Residents said the alignment cuts through the area without adequate connectivity for most parts of the district.
“This is the main district road connecting Budgam and Beerwah, but there is no cut or service road where it meets the elevated Ring Road,” environmental activist Raja Muzaffar Bhat said. “People will have to travel to Narbal or Chadoora to access it. This should be addressed before the project is completed.”

Residents said the missing connectivity would affect commuters, transporters, fruit growers, students and emergency services and raise safety concerns once the highway becomes operational.
“There is no direct connection between the Beerwah-Budgam district road and the Ring Road,” said Muhammad Hafiz of Beerwah. “People will have to travel extra kilometres to reach Narbal. It could also create safety issues once the project becomes operational.”
The Doodhpathri tourist resort requires a direct link through an entry and exit point at Ichkoot or Ichgam.
Without this link, residents and visitors will have to travel over 30 km to reach the highway alignment once it becomes operational.
Locals said improved connectivity could significantly reduce travel time.

Javaid Ahmad Bhat of Ichkoot said villagers had given land for the project but still lacked access planning.
“We gave land for the Ring Road, but there is no approach road or service road being provided,” he said. “An entry and exit point at Ichkoot will directly connect Doodhpathri, a scenic tourist destination, to the highway and ease travel for locals and visitors.”

Budgam MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, Beerwah MLA Shafi Ahmad Wani and Chadoora MLA Ali Muhammad Dar have jointly submitted a representation to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), seeking approach roads, service lanes and designated entry and exit points along the Beerwah-Budgam district road at Kawnar-Nasrullahpora, and an access point at Ichkoot for the Doodhpathri corridor.
After inspecting the project site at Kawnar last week, Wani said the approach design should be reviewed before completion.
“The Ring Road should improve connectivity, not become a barrier,” he said. “The approach road should be technically sound so it does not create problems when the district road is widened in future.”

A district administration official said the matter was under review. “One access point already exists at Narbal and another at Wathoora -Chadoora. We are examining the possibility of another along the Budgam-Beerwah Road,” the official said. “At Ichkoot, an irrigation siphon is a technical hurdle, but options are being explored.”

NHAI Project Director Akash Deep Singh said representations had been received.
“We have received the representations and will take up the matter with our headquarters,” he said. “The project is being executed as per the approved DPR.”

The 42.10-km Phase-I of the Srinagar Semi Ring Road from Galander in Pulwama to Narbal in Budgam and Sarai Dangerpora in Bandipora is nearing completion at an estimated cost of Rs 2920 crore and is likely to be opened by the end of this year.
The project’s Phase II (24.7 km), connecting Sarai Dangerpora to Wayul in Ganderbal, and Phase II-A (12.11 km), linking Pandach with Wayul, remain far from completion.

Phase III, which will connect Lasjan with Pandach and Hazratbal along with a 6-km airport link, is still at the DPR stage.

Srinagar, July 5: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday visited Nunwan base camp at Pahalgam in Anantnag district to review the arrangements of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.

The LG said there is heavy rush of pilgrims this year and the Jammu and Kashmir administration and Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board have made adequate arrangements for the pilgrims.

“Today, I visited the Nunwan Base Camp in Pahalgam to review the management of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra with senior officials. The discussions focused on key aspects including movement of pilgrims, security measures, accommodation facilities, registration progress, and other logistical requirements essential for hassle-free holy Yatra,” Sinha said in a post on X.

Sinha asked officials to ensure pilgrims are made aware of the significance of valid registration.
“I directed officials to prioritise the safety, security, and convenience of all pilgrims, while ensuring that every devotee of Baba Barfani is made aware of the importance of valid registration with designated dates to minimize waiting times,” he said.

The LG urged the unregistered pilgrims to be patient and wait for their turn to undertake the pilgrimage.

“During the visit, I interacted with pilgrims and assured them that Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and all yatra management departments are working tirelessly to ensure a safe, smooth, and hassle-free spiritual journey,” he added.

In another post on X, Lieutenant Governor Sinha said: “To ensure a seamless Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, I reviewed the ground situation and pilgrim facilities at the Chandanwari camp today. Through seamless whole of government approach, we are leaving no stone unturned to provide excellent food and lodging to the devotees of Lord Shiva.

I want every Yatri to have a blissful darshan and a profoundly enriching spiritual experience. I’ve also instructed Yatra management teams to examine pilgrim feedback and remain available for round-the-clock support.

Also, inspected the Base Hospital at Chandanwari to assess healthcare arrangements for the Yatris. Toured wards, labs and emergency units, and interacted with patients to check on their well-being & care quality.

Deeply appreciate the dedication of our doctors, paramedics & healthcare workers ensuring quality healthcare services for pilgrims”.

The annual pilgrimage to the 3880 metre high cable shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas began on July 3 and will culminate on August 28 to coincide with Raksha Bandhan.

Baramulla, Jul 05: Continuing its sustained campaign against narcotics and drug trafficking, Baramulla Police on Sunday attached immovable properties worth rupees 29 lakh belonging to a notorious drug peddler, officials said.

The properties, belonging to Mushtaq Ahmed Dar, son of Mohd. Yousuf Dar, resident of Yadipora, Palhallan, Pattan, were attached under the provisions of Section 68-F(1) of the NDPS Act.

In a press statement, an official spokesperson said, “The attached properties comprise a single-storey residential house at Yadipora, Palhallan and four shops in a double-storey commercial building at Hyderbeigh, Pattan, with a combined assessed value of over ₹29 lakh.The accused is involved in multiple cases under the NDPS Act and has also been detained under the PIT NDPS Act.”

The attachment followed a detailed enquiry conducted under Chapter V-A of the NDPS Act, during which valuation certificates, revenue records and income-related documents established reasonable grounds to believe that the attached properties had been acquired from the proceeds of illicit narcotic trafficking. The cases against the accused have already been challaned before the competent court of law., the statement said.

“This action reflects the unwavering commitment of Baramulla Police to dismantle the financial network of drug traffickers by identifying and attaching assets acquired through illicit narcotic trafficking. Such stringent action is aimed at ensuring that crime does not pay and serves as a strong deterrent against those involved in the drug trade,” it said.

Baramulla Police reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against drugs and appealed to the public to continue supporting the fight against drug abuse and trafficking by sharing any information related to narcotics. The identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential.

Srinagar, Jul 05:The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Kashmir, of the Crime Branch, J&K, on Saturday filed a chargesheet against five persons for allegedly defrauding banks of rupees 60 lakh by obtaining loans on the basis of forged revenue records and fabricated title documents, officials said on Sunday.

They said the chargesheet has been filed in FIR No. 05/2019, registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B RPC, before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, against Sheikh Samiullah, son of Ab Rashid Sheikh, a resident of Arampora, Nawakadal, Srinagar; Ab Ahad Bhat, son of Gh Mouhidin Bhat, a resident of Mufti Bagh, Harwan; Ghulam Nabi Baqal, son of Gh Rasool Baqal, a resident of Saderabal-A, Hazratbal, Srinagar; Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi, son of Mohd Yasin Sofi, a resident of HMT, Zainkote, Srinagar; and Sartaj Ahmad Hakeem, son of Ab Razak Hakeem, a resident of Nai Sadak, Habba Kadal, Srinagar.

In a press statement, an official spokesperson said, “The investigation was initiated after J&K Bank lodged a complaint alleging that the accused had obtained a term loan of Rs. 30 lakh from its Zainkote Branch and a cash credit facility of Rs. 30 lakh from its Residency Road Branch in 2007 by mortgaging properties on the basis of fake documents. The borrowers subsequently defaulted, and verification by revenue authorities confirmed that the mortgage documents and revenue extracts were forged. Investigation established that the accused Sheikh Samiullah in connivance with each other acted in conspiracy to deceive the bank and misappropriate the loan amount.”

The general public has been advised to remain vigilant against economic fraudsters and report any such incidents to the SSP, EOW Kashmir, Crime Branch J&K. Victims of economic fraud may also submit their complaints via email at sspeow [email protected].

Srinagar , July 05: No terrorist body had been seen or retrieved so far in the ongoing cordon and search operation (CASO) in the Chanapora area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, even as security forces continue intensive searches in the locality, officials said on Sunday.

Officials said that a joint team of the Police, Army and CRPF launched the operation in Chanapora following specific intelligence inputs about the possible presence of terrorists in the area.

The area was cordoned off and a thorough search operation was initiated to trace the suspected terrorists. During the operation, security forces have been conducting systematic searches, with additional reinforcements maintaining a tight security grid to prevent any escape.

Sources said that despite reports of suspicious movement during the operation, no terrorist body has been recovered so far. The operation remains in progress, and security personnel are continuing to comb the area.

Officials added that the situation is being closely monitored and further information will be shared as the operation develops.

The joint operation by Police, Army and CRPF was still underway when the last reports came in.