Precious Kashmir

Use cameras to streamline traffic management: CS

City

10/03/2022

Use cameras to streamline traffic management: CS

Directs decongestion of cities, towns

Jammu: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Wednesday chaired a meeting to review traffic scenario in Jammu and Kashmir.

Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Principal Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department, Commissioner/Secretary, Transport Department, ADGP, Traffic, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Transport Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, representative of NHAI, and concerned officers participated in the meeting.

The Chief Secretary expressed serious concern over the alarming figures of fatal road accidents on the National Highway-44 and other major roads in Jammu and Kashmir. He directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to prioritize installation of crash barriers and parapets throughout the accident prone areas and black spots. NHAI was also asked to install mesh coverings at landslide-prone areas to ensure safety of plying vehicles.

Besides, the traffic police was asked to ensure adequate deputation of traffic personnel on the congested stretches to enforce speed limits and discipline in lane driving.

Further, the Chief Secretary directed the traffic police to check over-speeding inside the Navayug and Nashri Tunnels and ensure strict compliance to the fixed speed limits. Directions were also issued for expeditious procurement of gadgets to check speed limits for which NHAI has already initiated the process.

While reviewing the recurrent traffic jams on the National Highway due to police checking and nakas, the Chief Secretary directed the concerned to conduct checking of vehicles in a regulated manner without causing disruption to the smooth traffic movement. The enforcement agencies were further asked to submit the factual reports of each checking drive with the higher authorities for ensuring suitable penal action against the delinquents.

To ensure transparency and accountability during the enforcement drives, Dr. Mehta directed mandatory wearing of body cameras by the concerned officials, besides ensuring installation of traffic cameras on all traffic interceptors. The Transport Department was asked to organize a campaign to raise public awareness on traffic rules and reporting of traffic misconduct either by public or enforcement agencies.

With regard to the summer migration of nomadic population, the Chief Secretary informed of the Tribal Affairs Department’s initiative of providing vehicular transportation to the migratory population. Accordingly, the traffic police was asked to make arrangements for proper traffic management in coordination with the Tribal Affairs Department. Similarly, the Traffic Police was also asked to adequately plan for the Amarnath Yatra 2022 in consultation with the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.

Regarding the decongestion of city/town areas, the divisional administrations and traffic police were directed to strictly enforce no-parking norms and vacate illegal parkings within one week. They were asked to launch special drives against pressure horns, unauthorized headlights, and use of tainted glasses in 4-wheelers.

For improving the in-city traffic movement, directions were issued for installation of traffic cameras on a mission mode, in addition to specifying ‘city/town speed limits’. Dr. Mehta maintained that the enforcement agencies must work in tandem with each other to ensure streamlining of traffic in and around cities/towns and on national highway and major roads. “Special efforts are required to ensure compliance to traffic rules and traffic discipline for which civil society needs to be approached and proactively engaged”, he said.

Moreover, the Chief Secretary directed the Transport Department to ensure installation of High Security Number Plates (HSNP) in all vehicles, within one month.

Army playing its part to preserve great heritage of Kashmir: GoC Pandey

Front

Precious Kashmir

10/03/2022

Srinagar: General officer Commanding (GoC) of Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lieutenant General D P Pandey Wednesday said that the army is playing its part to preserve the great culture and heritage of Kashmir for which the Valley was once centre stage and great attraction for not the people of India but entire Central Asia.

On the side-lines of an event here, the GoC said that Kashmir has been the centre of focus for the people of India and also for the Central Asian countries. “This place had a great heritage sites for which it was known across the globe and tourists would throng this place just to see the great culture and heritage,” he said, adding that “the army is trying to play its part and preserve the left-over heritage of Kashmir.”

Meanwhile, Defence Spokesman in Srinagar Colonel Emron Musavi in a statement said that ‘Chinar Dharohar’, an 8th century heritage site rejuvenated in Badamibagh by the Kashmir-based 15 Corps was accorded recognition by the National Monuments Authority in a glittering ceremony today.

“This heritage conservation project hosts several excavated figurines in the form of two large monolithic rock Shivalingas, seven gandhara style sculptures and a huge rock carving of the feet of a monolithic statue. From April to July 2021, the Chinar Corps diligently restored excavated sculptures, created a heritage park themed to display them and with technical assistance from SPS Museum, Srinagar recreated scaled replicas of seven more stone figurines excavated from the site in 1926,” the statement said.

“The ceremony was presided over by Tarun Vijay, Chairman National Monuments Authority and ex-Member of Parliament, who presented a Citation plaque to Lt Gen DP Pandey, GOC Chinar Corps in recognition of the exemplary research, restoration and rejuvenation of ancient Pandrethan monolithic rock statues at ‘Dharohar’ and for conserving the ancient ‘Meruvardhanswami Temple (6th CE) in all it’s ancient splendour. ‘Truly the Indian Army is the defender of the Nation, it’s heritage, culture and faiths.”

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen DP Pandey, thanked the National Monuments Authority for recognizing this humble effort of Chinar Warriors and reaffirmed the Indian Army’s pride in “our glorious civilization ethos and heritage.” (KNO)

National Monument Authority Awards Chinar Corps

Front

United News Of India

10/03/2022

Srinagar: ‘Chinar Dharohar’, an 8th century heritage site rejuvenated in Badamibagh by Kashmir-based 15 Corps of Indian Army was accorded recognition by the National Monuments Authority in a glittering ceremony on Wednesday.

This heritage conservation project hosts several excavated figurines in the form of two large monolithic rock Shivalingas, seven gandhara style sculptures and a huge rock carving of the feet of a monolithic statue.

From April to July 2021, the Chinar Corps diligently restored excavated sculptures, created a heritage park themed to display them and with technical assistance from SPS Museum, Srinagar recreated scaled replicas of seven more stone figurines excavated from the site in 1926.

The ceremony was presided over by Tarun Vijay, Chairman National Monuments Authority and ex-Member of Parliament, who presented a Citation plaque to Lt Gen DP Pandey, GOC Chinar Corps in recognition of the exemplary research, restoration and rejuvenation of ancient Pandrethan monolithic rock statues at ‘Dharohar’ and for conserving the ancient ‘Meruvardhanswami Temple (6th CE) in all it’s ancient splendour. ‘Truly the Indian Army is the defender of the Nation, it’s heritage, culture and faiths’, he said.

Lt Gen DP Pandey thanked the National Monuments Authority for recognizing this humble effort of Chinar Warriors and reaffirmed the Indian Army’s pride in our glorious civilisational ethos and heritage.

J&K logs 24 fresh Covid-19 cases

City

Nadeem Nadu

10/03/2022

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 24 fresh Covid-19 cases even as there was no death due to the virus in the last 24 hours, officials said on Wednesday.

They said 12 of the fresh cases each were reported from Jammu Division and Kashmir Valley respectively, taking the overall tally to 453347.

Giving district wise details, the officials said that Srinagar reported 10 cases, Baramulla 2, Budgam 0, Pulwama 0, Kupwara 0, Anantnag 0, Bandipora 0, Ganderbal 0, Kulgam 0, Shopian 0, Jammu 5, Udhampur 0, Rajouri 1, Doda 1, Kathua 2, Samba 1, Kishtwar 0, Poonch 1, Ramban 0 and Reasi 1.

There was no death reported in the last 24 hours, they said. So far 4749 persons have succumbed to the virus—2326 in Jammu and 2423 in Kashmir.

Besides, they said, 32 Covid-19 patients—17 from Jammu and 15 from Valley— recovered during the time. So far 448286 people have recovered, leaving the active case tally at 312— 144 in Jammu and 168 in Kashmir.

They said there was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 51 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials said. They also informed that 15125 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)

Active cases reduce from 48000 to 300

City

Jahangeer Ganaie

10/03/2022

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: With the third wave completely weaning off in J&K, the number of active cases have reduced to just around 300 which was otherwise 48,000 during peak of the wave.

As per the data available, during the third wave of Covid-19 in J&K, the highest number of active cases was reported on January 26, when total number of active cases was 47,969.

However, since 26 January 2022 with recovery rate increasing at a rapid rate, the number of active cases has reduced to just around 300.

In other words, since 26 January, the number of cases reported is less than the number of cases recovered.

“Moreover, since 26 January the recovery rate has increased from 87.32 percent to 98.88 percent in J&K,” the figures state.

Meanwhile, experts believe that with Omicron, which affected almost everyone, fading away, it is unlikely that any new wave can hit in coming months as the new variant may have generated immunity in all who got affected.

Authorities at CD hospital said that for the first time since the beginning of Pandemic, no active case is admitted at the hospital now.

“First time since March 2020 no Covid positive patient admitted in CD hospital…. Hopefully we are at the end of the pandemic,” tweeted Dr Naveed Nazir, HOD at CD hospital. (KNO)

Dr Altaf Malik conferred with prestigious fellowship

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

10/03/2022

Dr Altaf Malik conferred with prestigious fellowship

Srinagar: Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon at Government Dental College and Super-specialty Hospital Srinagar, Dr Altaf Hussain Malik has been conferred with prestigious Fellowship by International College of Dentists USA.

As per details available, the Fellowship is granted for the recognition of services and for upholding highest standards of professional achievements and personal ethics.

Dr Alfat, who hails from Bandipora district, has been granted the prestigious fellowship for his meritorious services and dedication for the continued progression of the profession for the benefit of humankind.

The universal motto of the International College is “Recognizing Service and Opportunity to Serve.”

Notably, Dr Altaf was last year selected for prestigious membership of faculty for Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Glasgow, after he fulfilled the criteria and qualified necessary exams.

He was the first board qualified Maxillofacial surgeon from J&K and was a national and international invited keynote speaker in the field of maxillofacial surgery, particularly in the area of Temporomandibular Joint disorders, maxillofacial trauma and oral implants.

Sgr, other places record increase in night temperature

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

10/03/2022

Srinagar: With cloudy and mainly dry weather in store till the weekend, night temperature recorded a slight drop at some places and increase at others stations in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.

A meteorological department said that Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, recorded a low of 5.2°C against last night’s 5.4°C on the previous night.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded a low of 4.2°C against 5.5°C on the previous night, he said. Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, had a low of 3.4°C against 2.6°C on the previous night, the official said. Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 0.1°C against minus 2.2°C last night, he said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 3.5°C against minus 4.5°C on the previous night, he said. The temperature was 0.5°C above normal for this time of the year in the famous resort, he said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a low of 4.4°C against 3.4°C on the previous night, the official said.

Jammu recorded a low of 13.0°C against 12.7°C on the previous night, the official said. The temperature was 1.0°C below normal for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.

Banihal recorded a low of 4.6°C, Batote had a minimum of 7.7°C while Bhaderwah recorded a low of 5.3°C, the official said.

Ladakh’s Leh recorded a minimum of minus 3.1°C against last night minus 2.4°C on the previous night while automatic Kargil station at recorded a low of minus 8.0°C. In next 24 hours, the weatherman said mainly dry weather was expected over Jammu and Kashmir.

“Weather is likely to remain partly cloudy with chances of occasional light rain/snow (over higher reaches) till March 13.” However, he said, there’s no forecast of any “significant weather” till March 13. (GNS)

J&K facing severe shortage of machinery, manpower for snow clearance

Jammu & Kashmir

Precious Kashmir

10/03/2022

Against requirement of 959 machines, only 254 available

By: Faizan Wani

Srinagar: An official report has revealed that Jammu & Kashmir is facing severe dearth of machines and manpower for snow clearance during winters.

The report said that Jammu & Kashmir is short of 705 snow clearance machines, as against the requirement of 959 machines for snow clearance in J&K, only 254 are available with it.

“The requirement of machines for entire road length is 959 out of which only 254 are available with MED Kashmir/ Jammu at present, which caters for clearance of 9705 kilometers of road length out of 21798 kilometers,” the report states.’

The department of Mechanical Engineering Department is also facing shortage of manpower (skilled for snow clearance) as it short of 705 personnel against the requirement.

According to the report, against the requirement of 1803 personnel (skilled operators), the department has only 393 such personnel available.

The report was submitted by a high-level committee constituted in 2021 by Jammu & Kashmir Government to come up with standard operating procedure for optimal maintenance of roads during snow clearance.

It is worthwhile to mention that MED caters for snow clearance of 9705 kilometers of road length in J&K while snow clearance on remaining road length of 12093 kilometers is presently being done through contracting agencies by the Roads & Buildings department and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in both Kashmir and Jammu provinces.

An official said that they are planning to purchase 66 snow clearance machines under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), during 2021-22.

“The procurement has been approved by the state executive committee in its meeting held on February 4 this year,” he said. (KNO)

EC makes elaborate arrangements for counting of votes in five states

National

Indo Asian News Service

10/03/2022

EC makes elaborate arrangements for counting of votes in five states

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Wednesday said that elaborate arrangements for counting of votes on March 10 in 690 Assembly constituencies of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh and bypoll to Assam’s Majuli have been made.

“Altogether, 671 counting observers, 130 police observers, and 10 Special Observers will be on ground to ensure the smooth counting process while the Commission has deputed two special officers – Chief Electoral Officer Delhi to Meerut and Chief Electoral Officer Bihar to Varanasi to supervise the counting arrangements,” it said.

The Commission also said elaborate and full proof arrangements have been made at all the counting centres. All strong rooms, where polled EVMs are kept, are under three-layered security with inner cordon manned by central armed police forces and the candidates concerned have been watching the strong room arrangements through CCTV coverage of 24×7.

At all counting centres, the district administration has imposed prohibitory orders around the counting halls to ensure that peace and tranquillity is not disturbed while the representative of the political parties or candidates are involved at each stage related to EVM such as opening and closing of EVM warehouse and at each stage, serial number of each EVM (including polled) will be shared with the political parties/candidates.

The postal ballots received before 8 a.m. on counting day shall be taken up for counting and shall continue till its completion. All existing instructions of counting of Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) and Postal Ballots shall be complied with.

The counting of votes for EVM shall commence at 08.30 a.m. and the EVM counting shall continue irrespective of the stage of postal ballot counting as per EC instructions dated May 18, 2019.

After each round of counting, tabulation of results in a prescribed format will be done. This will be signed by the Returning Officer and Observer, and a copy will be shared with the candidates. After announcement of round-wise results, counting of next round will be taken up as per extant instructions.

A media centre has been set up at each counting location for round-wise dissemination of trends. Media passes have also been issued.

The results are displayed on the website of the Election Commission and will be updated periodically to display the current round-wise trends and result of each constituency while the trends and results are also accessible through the “Voter Helpline App” Mobile App available at Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

The Commission also said that there have been some rumours related to EVMs etc, which are totally unrelated to polled EVMs and in each case of slightest breach of protocol, swift action has been taken by the Commission against the officers concerned.

No person should indulge in any rumour mongering or spreading wrongful information whereas the EC has directed CEOs and District Administration to take strictest legal action against such rumour-mongers and mischief.

BCB grants rest to Shakib from international cricket till April 30

Sports

Indo Asian News Service

10/03/2022

BCB grants rest to Shakib from international cricket till April 30

Dhaka: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday granted rest to all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan from all forms of international cricket till April 30 to recover from mental and physical fatigue.

As a result, Shakib will now miss Bangladesh’s upcoming Test and ODI tour of South Africa, scheduled to run from March 12 to April 8.

The 34-year-old informed the board recently that he’s not in a “situation to play cricket”, and is mentally and physically exhausted. The cricketer also pretty much made it clear that he shouldn’t be touring South Africa and needed a “long-term plan” to manage his game time.

Shakib said that he felt like a “passenger” in the just-concluded Afghanistan white-ball series, where he made 74 runs and took seven wickets in the three ODIs and two T20Is.

“I don’t want to waste the time or someone’s spot. Playing in this way, as a passenger, it will be like betraying or cheating my team-mates and the country,” he had said.

Shakib’s comments provoked a strong response from BCB president Nazmul Hassan, who questioned the all-rounder’s commitment to the national team, asking whether he would have wanted a similar break from the IPL had he been picked in the auction. However, the board has eventually accepted the veteran’s request for a break.

“He called me and said that I am not physically and mentally fit to play and want to skip the South Africa series and we have decided to give him rest till April 30,” Cricbuzz quoted BCB cricket operation chairman, Jalal Yunus as saying on Wednesday.

The BCB announcement also indicates that Shakib will not be available for the Dhaka Premier League, country’s traditional Dhaka-club based 50-over tournament, for Mohammedan Sporting Club. Notably, Shakib received a ban from DPL for misbehaving with the umpires while leading MSC in the tournament, last year

Jalal, BCB’s cricket operation chairman, informed that Shakib will sit with the BCB president after coming back from Dubai and disclose his future plan to the board president.

“He will come tomorrow, talk with the BCB president and tell him about his plan. The board is looking to settle down the Shakib issue as soon as possible for good considering his availability has become a major concern,” he said.

Since the start of 2017, Shakib has played only 15 of the 33 Tests Bangladesh have played, the reasons for his absences including injury, his one-year suspension for not reporting a corrupt approach, and personal leave.

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