Srinagar, Nov 8: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway is set for a colourful makeover as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) begins planting lavender along a 16-km stretch between Banihal and Qazigund.

The project aims to turn the busy mountain highway into a scenic and fragrant route that promotes aroma tourism and supports local farmers.

“The idea is to make our highways not just functional, but also beautiful and eco-friendly,” Project Director NHAI Shubham Yadav said. “Lavender cultivation will promote environmental beautification and aroma tourism, while also helping local communities earn more.”

The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM).

Under the plan, 200 kanal of land have been brought under lavender cultivation along the Banihal-Qazigund section.

Yadav said plantation work has already begun on both sides of the Qazigund-Banihal (Atal) Tunnel.

“A total of 23,000 lavender plants have been cultivated at the north portal and 29,000 plants at the south portal,” he said. “A total of 1 lakh lavender plants are to be planted overall.”

Officials said the stretch will become a major attraction for travellers and tourists once the lavender blooms.

The purple-blue flowers spread across both sides of the highway are expected to turn the area into a scenic corridor, enhancing the region’s natural beauty.

“Lavender fields create a stunning view, especially during the blooming season,” Yadav said. “Beautifully landscaped highways reflect good governance and environmental awareness, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.”

The project also carries economic potential.

Lavender, often called “purple gold” is in high demand for its essential oils and fragrance products.

Officials hope the move will encourage more farmers to adopt lavender cultivation, similar to the success in Bhaderwah, now known as India’s Lavender Valley.

If successful, the Banihal-Qazigund stretch could soon become one of the most picturesque highways in the Himalayas, where travellers drive through a ribbon of lavender under snow-clad peaks.

Srinagar, Nov 8: Police on Friday intensified their action against individuals involved in activities deemed prejudicial to national security.

Officials said that based on credible intelligence inputs, coordinated raids were carried out at multiple locations in Srinagar and adjoining areas.

Several suspects were detained under relevant provisions of law, while incriminating documents and communication materials promoting anti-national propaganda were recovered during the searches.

According to the Police, searches were conducted at the residences of certain individuals and their associates.

Preventive measures have simultaneously been initiated under relevant legal provisions against persons found to be in contact with or related to the detained individuals.

“These operations are aimed at pre-empting potential threats and ensuring peace and normalcy in Srinagar,” a senior Police officer said.

Police have urged people to refrain from circulating unverified information on social media and to promptly report any suspicious movement or activity through established helplines.

Reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law, the Police said all actions are being carried out transparently and in accordance with due legal process.

Kupwara, Nov 8: The government is actively reviewing the possibility of increasing the salaries of lecturers engaged on an academic arrangement basis in colleges across Jammu and Kashmir, Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner of the Higher Education Department, Shantmanu, said on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters after an extensive tour of Government Degree College (GDC) Handwara, Shantmanu acknowledged that demands for a salary hike from these lecturers have been raised repeatedly.

“Requests for enhancement of salaries are being received frequently, and even the media continues to highlight this issue. Presently, the monthly salary of Rs 28,000 for academic arrangement lecturers is being drawn from college funds and other limited sources. We are trying to find a sustainable solution to this,” he said.

He added that the Union Territory government would take up the matter with the Central Government and NITI Aayog later this month to explore a mechanism similar to that under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in the School Education Department.

“Under SSA, the salaries of additional teachers in the School Education Department are covered by central support. However, there is no such provision in the Higher Education Department. We are working to create a similar framework, and once it materialises, the salaries of academic arrangement lecturers will be enhanced without delay,” Shantmanu said.

Responding to a query about the demand for a separate women’s college in Handwara, he said the government’s current focus is on consolidating newly established colleges to ensure they function effectively and meet their objectives.

On the issue of vacant principal posts in several colleges, including GDC Handwara, Shantmanu said, “Many colleges are without permanent principals due to a court case. Since the case now stands resolved, appointments will soon be made to fill these vacancies.”

He also announced that an auditorium and college buses would be provided to GDC Handwara to improve infrastructure and student convenience.

Earlier, Shantmanu was received by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Handwara, Tehsildar Handwara, and the Incharge Principal of the College. During his visit, he inspected various academic blocks, interacted with students and faculty, and took firsthand feedback on academic facilities. He appreciated the students’ discipline and the commitment of the teaching staff.

Srinagar, Nov 08: An AK-47 rifle was recovered from the locker of a former senior resident doctor at Government Medical College (GMC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag, police said on Friday. Srinagar Police, with assistance from the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) Anantnag, seized the weapon at the college premises and have detained the individual for interrogation, India Today reported.

The doctor has been identified as Adeel Ahmad Rather, son of Abdul Majeed Rather, and a resident of Qazigund in Anantnag. He had been serving as a senior resident doctor at GMC Anantnag until October 24, 2024.

According to officials, the AK-47 rifle was discovered in the personal locker of Dr Rather at GMC Anantnag. Both the detained doctor and the seized rifle are now in the custody of Srinagar Police.

Police have stated that a case has been registered in connection with the recovery. The FIR includes charges under sections 7/25 of the Arms Act and sections 13, 28, 38, and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The investigation is currently being conducted by the Srinagar Police along with the JIC Anantnag. Authorities are focused on questioning the doctor to establish the circumstances and any possible motives.

Officials have confirmed that Dr Rather is being detained for further investigation and that all necessary legal procedures are being followed as part of the inquiry.

No additional details have been released regarding the origin of the rifle or how it came to be stored in the doctor’s locker. The investigation is still ongoing and any forward linkages are being tracked down.

Police stated, “Adeel and AK 47 is with Srinagar police.” Updates on the case are expected as the inquiry continues.