J&K completes 260 smart city projects worth Rs 6,358 crore, 29 underway

Srinagar, Mar 08 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir has completed 260 Smart City projects at an estimated cost of Rs 6,358.31 crore, while 29 more projects worth Rs 857.58 crore are currently under execution, as per the official document for the year 2025.

The document, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), states that the Smart City Mission has introduced 200 e-buses (100 each in Jammu and Srinagar) with real-time tracking and digital ticketing solutions to enhance urban mobility.

“An additional 200 e-buses have been approved under the PM E-Bus Sewa initiative,” it states.

According to the document, the Smart City Mission is revamping urban infrastructure in Srinagar and Jammu, focusing on developing green spaces, installing LED street lights, constructing health centres and auditoriums, and improving public transport to create modern, efficient, and eco-friendly urban centres—(KNO)

Heavy Snow and Rain Expected in Kashmir from March 10-14

Srinagar, Mar 8, KNT: The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecasted heavy rain and snow across Jammu and Kashmir between March 10 and 14.

According to the weather office, a fresh western disturbance will hit the region on Monday, bringing light to moderate rain and snow to most places. “On March 10-11, moderate rain and snowfall—mainly in upper reaches—is expected across J&K,” an official said. Another spell of light rain is likely to follow from March 12 onward, with intermittent showers and snowfall continuing at many locations until March 14.

Authorities have issued an advisory for travelers, urging them to check road conditions before undertaking journeys, as inclement weather may cause landslides and avalanches in vulnerable areas. Farmers have also been advised to complete agricultural activities by March 9 and avoid working in landslide-prone zones during the wet spell. [KNT]

Weather Update for Jammu & Kashmir: March 8-16, 2025

Issued by: MET Centre Srinagar
Date: March 8, 2025

Weather Forecast

The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has issued a fresh weather forecast for Jammu and Kashmir, covering the period from March 8 to March 16, 2025. The weather is expected to remain largely dry in the initial days, followed by intermittent spells of rain and snowfall in the coming week.

Detailed Forecast

• March 8-9: The weather will remain generally dry across Jammu & Kashmir. No significant precipitation is expected until the evening of March 9.
• March 10-11: Light to moderate rain is likely in plains, while higher reaches may experience fresh snowfall at many places.
• March 12-14: Intermittent spells of light to moderate rain/snow are expected at several places across the region.
• March 15-16: The spell of light rain and snowfall is likely to continue at many locations.

Advisory & Precautions

For Travelers & Tourists:

• Follow the advisories issued by local administration and traffic authorities.
• Be prepared for possible disruptions due to weather conditions, especially in higher altitudes.

For Farmers:

• It is strongly advised to suspend all farm operations from March 10 to March 16, as wet weather may impact agricultural activities.

For General Public:

• Avoid venturing into avalanche-prone and steep slopes, particularly in mountainous areas.
• Stay updated with official weather alerts and safety guidelines.

For real-time updates, stay tuned to official MET Centre bulletins and local administration advisories.

3,673 Landless Families Identified in J&K, 498 Allotted 5 Marlas Under PMAY-G: J&K Govt

442 cases remain under consideration; No family identified in Budgam and Shopian

Srinagar, Mar 08 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir government is allotting five marlas of land to landless families for the construction of residential houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-G), subject to verification by the Revenue Department.

In response to a question by MLA M.Y. Tarigami in the Legislative Assembly as per news agency JKNS, the Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj stated in a written reply that the administration has compiled district-wise details of identified landless families.

The minister also clarified that extended families of landless backgrounds may be considered for allotment, depending on eligibility and evolving guidelines.

Additionally, the government affirmed that the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, 2013 is being implemented in J&K, ensuring compensation to landowners as per legal provisions.

As per official data available with the news agency JKNS, 3,673 landless families have been identified under the PMAY-G (Awas Plus) category, of which 498 families have been allotted land, while 2,727 applications were rejected and 442 cases remain under consideration.

Among the districts, Rajouri has the highest number of identified landless families at 1,289, with 48 allotted land, 1,162 cases rejected, and 79 under review.

In Jammu, 171 landless families were identified, with 38 receiving land, 133 rejected. Anantnag recorded 319 identified families, of whom 28 were allotted land, 272 rejected, and 13 cases under review. Bandipora had 134 landless families, with 114 allotted land, while the remaining 20 cases are still under consideration.

In Baramulla, out of 111 identified landless families, 55 were allotted land, 30 cases were rejected, and 26 remain under review. Ganderbal had 264 landless families identified, but only 9 received land, with 252 cases rejected while 3 cases are under consideration.

Kathua saw 165 families identified, with 23 receiving land, 111 rejected, and 31 cases still under review. Kishtwar had 252 identified landless families, with 55 allotted land, while 146 cases were rejected, and 51 remain under consideration.

In Kulgam, 37 families were identified, with 8 received land, with 29 cases rejected. In Kupwara 46 families were identified, 4 of whom received land, while 39 cases were rejected while 3 are still under consideration. Poonch had 6 landless families, with 6 allotted land. Similarly, Pulwama had 24 landless families, 11 received land, with 13 cases rejected.

In Ramban, 181 families were identified, but none were allotted land, with 162 cases rejected and with 19 cases pending. Reasi had 159 landless families, with 7 were alloted land, 144 cases were rejected with 8 cases still pending. In Samba 40 families were identified in which 21 were alloted land, with 19 cases rejected.

In Srinagar had the lowest number of landless families at 11, with only 3 receiving land, while 8 cases were rejected. Udhampur recorded 220 landless families, of whom 11 received land, 138 were rejected, and 71 cases remain under review.

In Doda 244 landless families were identified with 57 recieving land, with 69 cases rejected, while 118 are still under consideration.

As per official data, no landless family was identified in Budgam and Shopian.

The government emphasized that land is being provided under PMAY-G to eligible landless families, subject to verification by the Revenue Department. Furthermore, the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, is being implemented in J&K, ensuring compensation as per legal provisions. (JKNS)

J&K has whopping debt of Rs 125025 crore: J&K Govt

Bills worth Rs 5429 crore pending in treasuries

Jammu, Mar 08 (KNO): The Jammu & Kashmir Government on Saturday disclosed that the Union Territory has a whopping debt of Rs 125205 crore.

In a written reply to the question of MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone, the minister in-charge of the Finance department, Omar Abdullah, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), disclosed that the total debt portfolio of J&K, including State Development Loan/Reserve Bank of India loan, negotiated loans, National Saving Small Fund (NSSF), Government of India Advances, Ways and Means Advance/Overdraft, General Provident Fund (GPF), Reserves and Deposits, UDAY power bonds, stands at a staggering Rs 125205 crore.

According to the Finance department’s reply, the total outstanding on account of SDL/RBI loans is Rs 69894 crore, followed by GPF with Rs 27901 crore, Rs 14294 crore in reserves and deposits, Rs 5758 crore NSSF, Rs 4032 crore in negotiated loans, Rs 2616 crore UDAY bonds, and Rs 710 crore GoI advances.

The Government also disclosed that the total outstanding liability in treasuries as of 27.02.2025 under various object heads of accounts is to the tune of Rs 5429.49 crore.
It also revealed that the total unpaid work bills of PHE are Rs 0.24 crore as of February 25, 2025—(KNO)