Model Code of Conduct Enforced in J&K

Srinagar, Mar 16 (GNS): The Chief Electoral Officer Jammu and Kashmir has ordered for enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct in the Union territory with the announcement of Lok Sabha polls 2024.

In a joint communique to District Election Officers’ (Deputy Commissioners), Chief Electoral Officer, UT of J&K, as per GNS, has informed the respective offices about the immediate effect of the Model Code of Conduct.

The CEO has requested the offices to direct all the line departments to ensure strict compliance of the instructions of MCC contained in the manual for guidance of political parties, candidates and other related guidelines. (GNS)

TRAFFIC POLICE HEADQUARTERS, J&K, JAMMU/SRINAGAR

1. From 15-03-2024, 1700 hrs. to 16-03-2024, 1700 hrs., Jammu-Srinagar NHW remained blocked for 50 mins due to repair work at Dalwas. Slow movement was observed on NH-44 due to breakdown of 02 HMVs and single lane traffic at Dalwas, Panthyal, Nachlana, Shalgarhi etc. and poor surface condition of road at many places between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel.

2. Passengers/LMVs operators are advised to prefer journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW during day time. Please avoid journey during night hours as apprehension of shooting stones between Ramban and Banihal.

3. Load carrier (HMV/LMV) Operators carrying fresh perishable/live stock are requested to load their vehicle as per advisory issued by Traffic Police Headquarters time to time as there is single lane traffic and poor condition of road at Dalwas on Jammu Srinagar NHW.

4. HMVs Operators/Owners are requested to desist from overloading and carry sufficient fuel during journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW. It is further requested that vehicle owners must double check the fitness of their vehicles and carry sufficient fuel before undertaking journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW.

5. HMVs with only 06 and 10 tyres shall be allowed to ply through Dhar road.

TRAFFIC PLAN & ADVISORY FOR 17-03-2024:-

Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44)

Subject to fair weather and good road condition, LMVs Passenger/Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice- versa. However, HMVs shall be allowed from NAVYUG Tunnel (Qazigund side) towards Jammu after assessing the road condition.

Cut off timing for LMVs in view of single road at Dalwas:- (subject to change depending on road condition) from Nagrota (Jammu) 0600 hrs to 1100 hrs

from Jakheni (Udhampur) 0700 hrs to 1200 hrs & from NAVYUG Tunnel (Qazigund side) 0600 hrs to 1100 hrs No Vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timing.

SFs Convoy Movement:-

Security Forces are advised/requested not to ply against advisory/traffic plan in view of possible traffic congestion because of narrow carriage way between Nashree and Banihal on Jammu-Srinagar NHW. Tomorrow they may ply from Srinagar towards Jammu after confirming the status of NHW from TCU Ramban.

SSG ROAD

Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari Road is still blocked due to snow accumulation.

Mughal Road:-

Mughal road is still blocked due to snow accumulation.

Bhaderwah-Chamba road:-

Bhaderwah-Chamba road is still blocked due to snow accumulation.

Kishtwar- Sinthan-Anantnag NH-244:-

Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road is still blocked due to snow accumulation.

ADVISORY:-

People are advised to undertake journey on NH-44 only after confirming status of the road from Traffic control units as under:-

Jammu (0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732, 103) Srinagar (0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091,103)

Ramban (9419993745, 1800-180-7043)

Udhampur (8491928625)

PCR Kishtwar (9906154100) for status of Sinthan Road.

Gardeners’ dedication blooms Asia’s largest Tulip Garden; 1.7 million flowers to be showcased

Srinagar, Mar 16 (KNO): The excitement is in the air as the opening of Asia’s largest tulip garden draws near, with expectations high for a successful showcase of natural beauty. The gardeners are excited and hope for a successful show, as they have worked hard to make this spectacular show successful.

Likely scheduled for opening this month, the much-anticipated tulip show is likely to gain attention not only for its stunning display but also for the garden to feature 5 new varieties, among 1.7 million tulips set to bloom, as revealed by the officials earlier.

Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the gardeners said the weeding procedure is going on. “The process for a successful tulip garden show is on, and we have added more varieties of tulips to the show,” they said.

Ghulam Mohammad Wani, a gardener who has been working in Srinagar’s tulip garden for more than eighteen years, said the work starts in the month of November. “Like a child is taken care of, the same has to be done with tulips,” he said, adding that an ocean of people used to visit the tulip garden, and it is a heartwarming time to see the hard work getting paid off.

“All this is because of the hard work of a dedicated gardener, and one can see the beautiful scene of the tulip garden only when a gardener worked hard and his hard work gets praised in this month of tulip festival,“ he added.

Another gardener said, “Behind the successful tulip show holds a hardworking garden, and as of now, the weeding procedure is on. Before the garden opens, one more weeding procedure needs to be done. It needs an expert gardener to handle the opening deadline procedure from one side and continue the process.”

After the successful tulip show, these tulips need to be taken out from the land and then again taken care of for the rest of the year, he added.

Commissioner Secretary Floriculture, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad has informed that Asia’s largest Tulip garden has added five more new tulip varieties this year besides expanding the existing garden area, bringing the total number of tulip varieties to 73.

He said 1.7 million tulips are set to bloom this year in the upcoming season, the groundwork of which has been completed, he said adding that the department has also added another four kanals of land for the parking lot at the tulip garden to ensure a smooth experience for the visitors—(KNO)

Barring Gulmarg & Pahalgam, Night Temp Drops In J&K

Srinagar, Mar 16: Barring Gulmarg and Pahalgam, night temperature recorded drop in Jammu and Kashmir even as the weatherman has forecast generally dry weather till March 20.

A meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar recorded a minimum of 1.2°C against 1.7°C on the previous night which was below normal by 2.5°C for the summer capital of JK for this time of the year.

Qazigund recorded a minimum of 2.1°C against 2.2°C on the previous night and it was 0.7°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 2.0°C against minus 3.1°C on the previous night and it was 0.8°C below normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 1.9°C against 2.3°C on the previous night and it was 0.6°C below normal, the official said.

Kupwara town recorded a low of minus 0.2°C against 0.6°C on the previous night and it was 2.5°C below normal there, the official said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 3.4°C against minus 5.2°C on the previous night and it was below normal by 0.1°C for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Jammu, he said, recorded a minimum of 11.1°C and it was below normal by 2.9°C for the winter capital of J&K.

Banihal recorded a low of 3.0°C, Batote 6.3°C and Bhaderwah 3.6°C, he said.

While largely dry weather has been forecast till March 20, the weatherman said that a fresh spell of rain and snow was expected in J&K thereafter till March 24. (GNS)