Ujh multipurpose project revival raises hopes of economic transformation
Srinagar, Aug 29:The revival of the long-delayed Ujh Multipurpose Project in Kathua district has raised hopes of an economic transformation in the region, with the ambitious project expected to expand irrigation, generate hydropower, and strengthen water availability for households and industry. The project, located on the Ujh river, a major tributary of the Ravi, envisages a 380-feet-high concrete-faced rockfill dam and a power house expected to generate between 186 MW and 212 MW of electricity. Declared a national project in 2008, the scheme remained stalled for years. Its revival has now brought renewed attention to its potential to benefit communities in Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Pathankot and Gurdaspur in neighbouring Punjab. It has been discussed for years, and people here have been waiting to see the project move forward. If completed as planned, it could bring major changes to the area, said Akshay Kumar, a resident of Kathua. The project is designed to provide irrigation to nearly 90,000 hectares of agricultural land across Kathua and Samba in J&K and Pathankot and Gurdaspur in Punjab. For farmers in the region, the availability of irrigation water could reduce dependence on rainfall and support more reliable agricultural production. The project was revived due to the efforts of Union Minister Jitendra Singh. Earlier, water was not reaching the tail-end areas, but with the completion of this project, many villages in the tail-end areas of Kathua and Samba districts will receive irrigation water, MLA Samba Surjeet Singh Slathia told Greater Kashmir. He said the project would prove to be a major milestone for the farming community in the two districts, as improved irrigation would help bring more land under cultivation, strengthen agricultural productivity and provide greater relief to farmers in the tail-end villages. The project will also supply drinking water to Kathua district and make water available for industrial use, potentially supporting new investments and employment in the region. Work on the project is being taken up in phases, with construction-related activities and land acquisition progressing simultaneously, according to officials. Locals say the projects impact could extend beyond agriculture and power generation, with the reservoir and associated infrastructure potentially creating opportunities in tourism, transport, hospitality and other sectors. The project also has a significant strategic dimension because of its location near the international border. Backed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the project is expected to help regulate water flows more effectively and strengthen surveillance and management along vulnerable stretches of the riverbed that could otherwise be used as infiltration routes. The project is also expected to enhance Indias utilisation of the waters of the eastern rivers allocated to it under the Indus Waters Treaty. At present, part of the Ujhs flow crosses the international border without being fully utilised on the Indian side. The project aims to harness a greater share of this water for irrigation, drinking water, industry, and power generation.
Punjab delegation calls on LG Sinha
Jammu, Aug 20: A public delegation from Punjab, led by S. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Member of Legislative Assembly from Ajnala, Amritsar, called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday and briefed him on recurring monsoon overflows from the Ujh River affecting several parts of Punjab. The delegation requested the Lieutenant Governor to take up the matter with the Prime Minister and the Union Minister for Jal Shakti for construction of a suitable dam or reservoir project on River Ujh, or any other technically feasible flood-moderation measure, after undertaking a comprehensive feasibility study and preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR). The delegation highlighted that such a project could help regulate and maintain the flow of River Ujh and mitigate flood situations in several districts of Punjab, including Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Amritsar, particularly Ajnala Sub-Division. It was further submitted that besides flood management, a reservoir project could facilitate the storage of excess monsoon water for future use, while also offering potential for hydroelectric power generation and promoting tourism, water-sports and recreational activities in the area. The delegation said the proposed intervention could contribute to long-term water management, strengthen flood resilience and support sustainable economic development in the region. The Lieutenant Governor assured the delegation that the issue would be given due consideration and taken up with the concerned authorities for technical evaluation.
Police conduct long-range patrolling, anti-terror mock drill in Samba
Jammu, Aug 11: Ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday conducted long-range patrolling and an anti-terror mock drill in Samba district to assess operational preparedness, strengthen security arrangements and ensure prompt response to any contingency, an official said. The long-range patrolling was conducted by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police, covering nearly 20 km from Jatwal to Lala Chak along the Jammu-Pathankot national highway, a spokesman said. He said it was followed by a mock drill at the border police post in Lala Chak to assess preparedness of personnel in dealing with a simulated terror attack scenario. During the exercise, two simulated terrorists were shown carrying out an attack on an establishment. In response, SOG personnel established a cordon around the area and successfully neutralised the simulated threat, the spokesman said. He said the exercise was aimed at testing the response mechanism, coordination, tactical preparedness and contingency-handling capabilities of personnel. Samba Senior Superintendent of Police Anuj Kumar reiterated police's commitment of maintaining robust security arrangements and ensuring safety of the public, particularly in view of the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.
Punjab Chief Minister to Disburse Honorarium Under Mawan-Dhiyan Sewa Scheme for 3.55 Million Women
Chandigarh, August 1: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will launch the disbursement of honorarium under the Mawan-Dhiyan Sewa Scheme from Pathankot on Saturday. According to government officials, a total of 3.55 million women will receive the honorarium directly in their bank accounts. Previously, 3.3 million women had already benefited from this scheme. This means ... Read more Punjab Chief Minister to Disburse Honorarium Under Mawan-Dhiyan Sewa Scheme for 3.55 Million Women
Good News For UP, Bihar Travellers: Chhapra-Pathankot Weekly Special Train From July 20
Train will have 19 coaches, including AC Second Class, AC Third Class, Third AC Economy, Sleeper Class, General Second Class, and luggage-cum-generator coaches.
MHA tags 17 from Pakistan and 6 Indians 'individual terrorists'
India has declared 23 individuals from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as terrorists, targeting Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish operatives. Home Minister Amit Shah stated these individuals are involved in anti-India activities, including terror attacks and recruitment. The designated terrorists are linked to significant attacks like Pathankot and the Rameshwaram Cafe blast, with some also involved in reconnaissance for future strikes. This move underscores the government's firm stance against terrorism.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has announced that the long-pending Shahpur Kandi Project on the River Ravi is nearing completion, raising hopes among farmers in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba and Kathua districts. The project is expected to bring irrigation to over 32,000 hectares of barren land in the Kandi belt and benefit thousands of hectares in Punjab's Pathankot district.
Four Injured After Car Skids Off Road, Rolls Into River In Bhaderwah
DODA, June 5: Four injured after a car skidded off the road and plunged into a river near Nalthi Park in the Bhaderwah area of Jammu and Kashmirs Doda district on Friday, officials said. The accident occurred when the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to roll down into the river, they said. Rescue teams rushed to the spot and shifted the occupants to Sub-District Hospital, Bhaderwah, for treatment. The injured, all residents of Pathankot in Punjab, have [] The post Four Injured After Car Skids Off Road, Rolls Into River In Bhaderwah appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Rising Star Corps Commander Reviews Operational Preparedness In Kathua, Pathankot
JAMMU, May 28: The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Rising Star Corps, Lieutenant General Rajan Sharawat, on Thursday visited Pathankot (Punjab) and Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district and reviewed the operational preparedness of troops deployed in the region. GOC Rising Star Corps reviewed the operational preparedness of troops deployed in Pathankot and Kathua, appreciating their high standards of readiness, seamless integration and exemplary professionalism, the corps said in a post on X. The Rising Star Corps oversees operational areas [] The post Rising Star Corps Commander Reviews Operational Preparedness In Kathua, Pathankot appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Political Tensions Rise in Punjab Following Harbhajan Singhs Statements
Pathankot, May 23: The political landscape in Punjab has become increasingly heated following remarks made by former cricketer Harbhajan Singh. Ashwini Sharma, the acting president of the BJP Punjab, accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of deceiving the public. He stated that Harbhajan Singh has exposed the truth about the Punjab government. During a conversation ... Read more Political Tensions Rise in Punjab Following Harbhajan Singhs Statements
Pathankot man arrested for sending CCTV feed of forces' movement to Pakistan-based handlers: police
He was also getting directions from an unknown person in Dubai. He was given 40,000, police claimed
Man Arrested in Pathankot for Sharing Troop Movements With Pakistan
During questioning, the accused confessed that he had installed an internet-based CCTV camera at a shop on the NH-44 Pathankot-Jammu Highway in January
Two Students Killed As Bus Overturns On Amritsar-Pathankot National Highway
Chandigarh, May 22: A private bus overturned on the Amritsar-Pathankot national highway on Friday, leaving two students dead and five injured, police said. The deceased, both aged around 23, hailed from Jammu, Station House Officer Rajwant Kaur said. The deceased were students of a college in Punjab, she said, adding that around 10 students were among the passengers travelling in the bus. Five injured, including three who sustained head injuries, were shifted to a hospital in Gurdaspur, the officer said. [] The post Two Students Killed As Bus Overturns On Amritsar-Pathankot National Highway appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
A man from Pathankot, Punjab, was arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan-based handlers by installing an internet-enabled CCTV camera to monitor Indian Army and paramilitary movement along NH-44. The accused admitted to installing the camera and receiving payment, with police investigating cross-border links and foreign funding for the operation.
Pathankot Man Sends Live Feed Of Forces Movement To Pakistan-Based Handlers; Arrested
Chandigarh/Pathankot, May 21: A resident of Punjabs Pathankot was arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan-based handlers, police said on Thursday. Preliminary investigation revealed that Baljit Singh, a resident of Chakk Dhariwal village, had installed a CCTV camera at a shop located near a bridge on the National Highway-44 to allegedly keep an eye on the movement of the army and paramilitary forces, police said, adding that he was transmitting the live feed to Pakistan-based handlers. During questioning, the accused [] The post Pathankot Man Sends Live Feed Of Forces Movement To Pakistan-Based Handlers; Arrested appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
