The Cost of Carelessness on Our Roads
Three lives were cut short, and three more were left injured in a single moment of loss of control on the Jalandhar-Pathankot National Highway on Sunday. The crash near Cholang Toll Plaza, involving a Fronx car moving from Jalandhar towards Pathankot, is yet another grim reminder that our roads continue to exact a terrible price, often from errors that should never turn fatal. The dead, including two residents of Batamaloo in Srinagar, have been identified as Sukhwinder Singh, Ikhlaq Qadir and Aneek Amin. For their families, this is not a statistic or a passing headline. It is an abrupt, unbearable rupture. A routine journey, a roadside vendor standing beside his cart, a vehicle that allegedly lost control and within seconds, lives were forever altered. Such tragedies reveal how fragile safety remains on our highways, where one lapse can become irreversible loss. It is tempting, after every accident, to settle for sympathy alone. But sympathy is not enough. The first duty of the state is to ensure that highways are designed, regulated and monitored with seriousness. The second is to enforce traffic discipline without exception. The third is to make drivers answerable for speed, fatigue, distraction and reckless behaviour. When police say the cause is being investigated, the public must demand more than a routine formality. Was the vehicle speeding? Was the driver tired? Was there a mechanical fault? Was the stretch of road properly marked and maintained? These are not secondary questions; they are the very questions that determine whether such deaths are prevented tomorrow. The accident also exposes a wider truth about our road culture. We continue to treat highway travel as an everyday inconvenience rather than a matter of life and death. Overspeeding, poor lane discipline, careless overtaking and weak enforcement have normalised danger. Commercial traffic, private vehicles and vulnerable roadside workers all share the same space, but not the same protection. The vendor who was struck beside his cart is a tragic symbol of how exposed ordinary people remain to fast-moving traffic with little safety buffer. There is also a moral dimension to this disaster. A road is not just a stretch of asphalt; it is a public space where responsibility must be shared by drivers, transport authorities, police and policymakers alike. Every fatal crash that follows familiar patterns should compel a review of road engineering, signage, patrol presence and emergency response. It is not enough to arrive after the collision. The real test is whether the system can stop the collision from happening. The grief of the bereaved families in Srinagar and elsewhere should shake us out of complacency. Three killed and three injured is not a routine incident to be filed away. It is an indictment of a road system that still permits preventable deaths with disturbing regularity. Unless accountability becomes stricter and road safety becomes a political priority, the same sorrow will return, wearing a different name and a different date.
Three Killed, Three Injured in Jalandhar Road Accident
JALANDHAR: Three people, including two residents of Batamaloo in Srinagar, were killed and three others injured after a car lost control, crashed into a roadside tree and then rammed into a vendor on the Jalandhar-Pathankot National Highway on Sunday afternoon. The accident took place at around 2:20 pm near Cholang Toll Plaza, when a Fronx car bearing registration number JK01BC8358 was travelling from Jalandhar towards Pathankot. According to preliminary information, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, following which the car crashed into a tree before hitting a local vendor who was standing beside his cart. The collision was severe, leaving three people dead on the spot. The deceased have been identified as Sukhwinder Singh (50), a resident of Chak Shakoor, Ikhlaq Qadir and Aneek Amin. Three others sustained injuries in the accident and were provided first aid before being shifted to Civil Hospital, Tanda, where they are undergoing treatment. Soon after the incident, police and highway patrol teams reached the spot and initiated rescue operations. The damaged vehicle was seized and the belongings of the victims were recovered from the accident site. Police said the recovered items included seven kit bags, a laptop, three wallets containing Rs 4,400 in cash and cards, a wristwatch, two mobile phones and two mobile chargers. The belongings were handed over to Bhogpur police station. The families of the deceased have been informed, while police have initiated legal proceedings and are investigating the circumstances leading to the accident.
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.
Dr. Jitendra reviews Ujh project, calls for faster implementation
Jammu, Aug 2: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, on Sunday reviewed the implementation roadmap of the Ujh Multipurpose Project (MPP) in Kathua district and directed officials to expedite its execution to ensure timely benefits for the people. Chairing a review meeting with officials of WAPCOS Ltd., the implementing agency for the project, Dr. Singh stressed the need for speedy implementation while maintaining high standards of quality, safety and efficiency. Officials informed the minister that the project would be implemented in phases, with construction work commencing alongside the acquisition of the remaining land instead of waiting for the entire land acquisition process to be completed. Describing the Ujh Multipurpose Project as strategically significant, Dr. Singh said the Centre was committed to completing long-pending national projects under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted that the Ujh project, conceived nearly a century ago, had remained pending for decades, while the Shahpurkandi project was stalled for around 40 years. According to the minister, these delays resulted in the waters of the Ravi River and its tributaries flowing into Pakistan. Dr. Singh said the revival of the Shahpurkandi project in 2019 and the Ujh project in 2026 reflected the government's resolve to optimise India's water resources and complete long-delayed infrastructure projects. The Ujh Multipurpose Project on the Ujh River, a tributary of the Ravi, is expected to generate 186-212 MW of electricity and provide irrigation to nearly 90,000 hectares of agricultural land in Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir, and Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts of Punjab. The project is also expected to improve drinking water supply in Kathua, provide industrial water, enhance agricultural productivity, strengthen water security and support regional economic development. The Centre said the project also has strategic importance for border management. Dr. Singh called for close coordination among all stakeholders and assured WAPCOS of the Centre's full support for the timely completion of the project.
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.
TATA Starbucks Reimagines its Loyalty Program with New Rewards and Enhanced Benefits
TATA Starbucks has announced the launch of its reimagined Starbucks Rewards program, featuring Green, Gold and the newly introduced Reserve tier. The enhanced program is designed to offer members greater value through faster earning, easier redemption and access to a broader suite of rewards, benefits and experiences as they progress through the program. The updated tiers include: Green: The entry tier where members can earn Starbucks Rewards faster, and choose to redeem Rewards of their choice Gold: Customers can get upgraded to Gold by accumulating 1000 Stars within a year of joining Reserve: Comes with a sleek, black personalized card customized with the customers name and the first year they joined the program. Customers can get upgraded on accumulating 5000+ Stars within a year of joining TATA Starbucks Reimagines its Loyalty Program with New Rewards and Enhanced Benefits The Starbucks Rewards program will now offer a host of customer benefits with each level unlocking an expanded portfolio of rewards and experiences as they deepen their engagement with the brand: Faster Earning: Members will earn 1 Star for every Rs.10 spent, with Gold Members earning 1.2X Stars and Reserve Members earning 1.3X Stars on every Rs. 10 spent More Accessible Rewards: Lower redemption thresholds make it easier for members to unlock rewards and enjoy benefits sooner, bringing them closer to the experiences and rewards they value Benefits at Every Level: Members can enjoy a range of benefits including personalized offers, birthday rewards, milestone celebrations, Double Stars Days and member-exclusive offers, ensuring every visit feels more rewarding Enhanced Member Experiences: As members progress through the program, they will also unlock additional benefits including Free Customized Mondays (every member can receive one free modifier on any handcrafted drink), accelerated Star earnings, exclusive merchandise, curated coffee experiences, special event access and other member-only privileges Adrit Mishra, COO, TATAStarbucks , said, At TATA Starbucks, we are constantly looking for ways to strengthen our connection with customers and create experiences that are meaningful, rewarding and personalized. The reimagined Starbucks Rewards program reflects our commitment to delivering greater value to our members by making rewards easier to earn and redeem, while introducing new benefits and experiences that celebrate loyalty. Whether someone is just beginning their Starbucks Rewards journey or is one of our most loyal members, the program has been designed to reward them at every stage. For more information and to start enjoying these rewards, visit the Starbucks India mobile application. About TATA Starbucks Private Limited Starbucks entered the Indian market in October 2012 through a 50/50 Joint Venture with Tata Consumer Products Limited and currently operates more than 506 stores in India across 81 cities, Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Alibaug, Amritsar, Anand, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Bhatinda, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Faridabad, Gandhinagar, Ghaziabad, Goa, Guntur, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Gwalior, Haridwar, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Indore, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolhapur, Kolkata, Lonavala, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Meerut, Mumbai, Mussoorie, Mysore, Nagpur, Nashik, New Delhi, Noida, Pathankot, Patiala, Pondicherry, Pune, Raipur, Siliguri, Sonipat, Surat, Thrissur, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Vadodara, Vapi,Vijayawada, Varanasi and Vizag are cities in India. through a network of over 4,305 passionate partners (employees). Starbucks stores are operated by the joint venture, TATA Starbucks Private Limited, and branded as Starbucks Coffee - A TATA Alliance.
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 .
Punjab Man Installs CCTV On Highway, Sends Footage Of Army's Movement To Pakistan
Baljit Singh, a resident of Pathankot, had installed a CCTV camera at a shop near a bridge on the Pathankot-Jammu stretch of the National Highway-44.
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 .
One more held in Patiala rail track blast
CHANDIGARH, May 2: Punjab Police on Saturday said it has arrested one more person in connection with the freight corridor railway track blast in Shambhu in Patiala. Gurjinder Singh alias Baba Beant has been arrested by the State Special Operation Cell in Amritsar, Patiala Police and Counter Intelligence wing in Pathankot in a joint operation, said Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Gurjinder is a key associate of Jagroop Singh, who was killed [] The post One more held in Patiala rail track blast appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Samba police arrests bike lifter
Excelsior Correspondent SAMBA, Apr, 25: Samba police has arrested an accused person involved in a theft case registered at Police Station (PS), Bari Brahmana and recovered stolen bike from his possession. Police said on April 23 a written report was lodged at Police Station (PS), Bari Brahmana by one Ajay Kumar, son of Kulwant Singh of Sarna, Pathankot regarding theft of his motorcycle bearing Registration Number, PB36H-3464 from industrial area Bari Brahmana. Acting over the complaint, a case FIR No. [] The post Samba police arrests bike lifter appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
