National

CM: Pilgrimage Tourism to Enhance Jammu’s Economic Growth

Published

11 months ago

March 4, 2025

On Tuesday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his government’s dedication to enhancing Jammu’s economy through the promotion of tourism, particularly pilgrimage tourism. He outlined plans to establish structured itineraries, improve branding, and undertake significant infrastructure improvements to position Jammu as a leading pilgrimage tourism destination.

In response to a supplementary question from BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi in the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister, who also oversees the tourism department, highlighted ongoing efforts to promote every tourism asset in the region.

“The department is actively working on developing the Jammu pilgrimage circuit. I have consistently emphasized this to the over one crore Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims. If even ten to fifteen percent of them choose to explore other tourist sites in Jammu, it would greatly benefit the area. Unfortunately, we have not achieved this yet,” he remarked.

He acknowledged that a major obstacle is the insufficient comprehensive information available about Jammu’s pilgrimage locations. “We aim to create structured itineraries for three-day, four-day, and seven-day pilgrimage tours and to promote them effectively. We will ensure extensive distribution of promotional materials at trade shows and tourism fairs to attract visitors,” he added.

Addressing concerns about the effects of direct train connectivity to Kashmir and the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway bypassing Jammu, the Chief Minister recognized the worries of the local tourism sector. “There are concerns that with the railway extending not only to Katra but also to Srinagar and Baramulla, coupled with the expressway allowing travelers to bypass Jammu City, tourism in Jammu may be impacted,” he stated.

“However, merely developing tourism destinations is insufficient. Attractions like Jammu’s heritage sites, the upcoming Jammu lake, and the Jammu zoo are significant draws, yet they require improved branding and visibility,” he continued. “We must give these destinations a unique identity and promote them effectively. While it is true that publicity has been lacking, we are committed to rectifying this,” he asserted.

Earlier, in response to a starred question from the Legislator, the Chief Minister underscored the ongoing initiatives of the tourism department aimed at enhancing infrastructure to draw more tourists to Jammu City. “We have implemented several projects under the State Capex Budget and the Swadesh Darshan Scheme,” he informed the House.

Among the key projects, the government is focusing on upgrading major tourist attractions. The Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) is also leading numerous initiatives to modernize Jammu’s infrastructure and boost its appeal as a tourist destination.

As part of its heritage conservation and beautification efforts, JSCL is restoring and enhancing iconic landmarks such as Bahu Fort, Mubarak Mandi, Raghunath Bazaar, and various temples and ghats in line with the Smart City initiative.

A significant project under JSCL includes the redevelopment of the Tawi Riverfront, which aims to transform it into a lively recreational area featuring promenades, cycling tracks, and leisure spaces for both residents and tourists.

The Chief Minister emphasized that JSCL’s vision is to turn Jammu into a modern, tourist-friendly, and sustainable city while preserving its rich cultural and historical heritage.

National

Three Burned Alive as Car Falls from Bridge in Gujarat’s Rajkot

Published

2 weeks ago

January 31, 2026

Namma Kudla

Gujarat: A tragic accident claimed the lives of three people in Gujarat’s Rajkot district on Monday.A car fell from a bridge and caught fire, killing all occupants on the spot.

The incident occurred on the Gondal–Atkot highway.The car was travelling from Chhota Udepur towards Gondal.

According to reports, the vehicle hit the bridge’s safety barrier.After the collision, the car fell nearly eight feet into a small stream below the bridge.

Soon after the fall, the car caught fire.The occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and were unable to escape.All three were burned alive and died at the scene.

Police and fire personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information.The fire was later brought under control.The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.

The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. Further details are awaited.

National

Girl Records Reels Inside Jail, Video Sparks Debate

Published

2 weeks ago

January 30, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bhopal: A young woman has come under public attention after recording reels inside a jail while meeting her boyfriend.

The incident happened at Raipur Central Jail in Chhattisgarh, which is known for high security. Mobile phones are strictly not allowed inside the jail. Despite this rule, the woman carried her phone into the visitor room.

She recorded videos while talking to her boyfriend during the meeting. In the video, she speaks emotionally about visiting him on his birthday. She says she feels sad because she cannot stay with him on his special day.

After the meeting, she uploaded the video on her social media account. The video quickly went viral on different platforms. The inmate seen in the video is identified as Tarakeshwar.

He is currently lodged in Raipur Central Jail. He is an accused in a case under the NDPS Act. The incident has raised serious questions about jail security.

People on social media are criticising jail staff and officials. Many users are asking how a mobile phone was allowed inside the jail.

They are also questioning the checking process at the jail entrance. So far, jail authorities have not given any official reaction.

National

MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

Published

4 months ago

October 6, 2025

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.