| Jan 01, 1970 | Daily Report |
| RISING BHARAT | News Count (102997) | |
2681. 143 Out Of 161 Srinagar Smart City Projects Completed
- On February 6, 2025, Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) officials announced that 143 out of 161 projects under the Srinagar Smart City initiative have been successfully completed. The initial project budget stood at ₹940 crore, with the remaining 18 projects currently in progress, aiming for full completion by March 2025.
- Key ongoing infrastructure projects include Riverfront Phase II (Amira Kadal to Chattabal), Shahr-e-Khaas development (Sections A, B, and C, at 85% completion), and the underground ducting project along the right bank of the riverfront (75% complete).
- Completed projects include the redevelopment of Lal Chowk, MA Road and Residency Road upgrades, Riverfront Phase 1, Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS), SD Net, and the Srinagar Data Network (Intranet). The next milestone projects include upgrades to Batmaloo, Mominabad Road, and Dalgate-Gojwara Road, enhancing urban mobility and city infrastructure.
2682. Rejubit: CRRI launches first made-in-India agent for recycling old bitumen roads
- On 6 February,2025 The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) launched "Rejubit" the first made-in-India rejuvenating agent for restoring and recycling old bitumen roads This agent will reduce the cost of relaying roads by 66% and lower the country’s import burden.
- Rejuvenating agent will be manufactured by Ooms India, a private company that has an India license from CRRI. Using this new agent, old road materials can be recycled at one-third of the existing cost using imported additives, Ambika Behl, senior principal scientist at CRRI, told HT.
- Once available at scale, this chemical agent will also significantly reduce the demand for new raw materials, a significant portion of which are currently imported, she added.
Click here to find 427 similar incidents of Make in India / Atmanirbhar -> Roads and Highways
2683. MoD signs Rs 10k cr deals to boost Army's PINAKA with new rockets
- On 6 february 2025 The indigenously developed PINAKA Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), totalling Rs 10,147 crore,
- The signed between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and private player Economic Explosives Limited (EEL) and defence public sector undertaking (DPSU) Munitions India Limited (MIL) to enhance the Indian Army's firepower.
- MoD has signed contracts with EEL and MIL for the procurement of Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1 (DPICM) and High Explosive Pre-Fragmented (HEPF) Mk-1 (Enhanced) rockets, respectively, for the PINAKA MLRS at a total cost of Rs 10,147 crore,
2684. Inaugurates NIBE’s Advanced Missiles and Small Arms Complex in Pune
- On 6 february 2025 NIBE Limited, a pioneering name in manufacturing critical systems for the defence sector, inaugurated its state-of-the-art Missiles Complex and Precision Machining (Small Arms Complex) facility in Pune.
- The newly launched facility is equipped with advanced Vertical Machining Centres (VMCs) with Computer Numerical Control (CNC), such as the Kairos V5 16000, and the BMV 50 and 60+ machines.
- These machines offer high capacity and precision, making them ideal for Defence and Aerospace applications, and will be used for the manufacturing of critical components of Small Arms systems, such as Light Machine Guns and Assault Rifles, as well as Missiles and Rocket Launcher structures.
2685. Meghalaya: Mendipathar Railway Station Unloads First Freight Rake
- On February 7, 2025, Mendipathar Railway Station in Garo Hills, Meghalaya, successfully unloaded its first freight rake, marking a major milestone in the state’s railway logistics. The rake, consisting of 21 wagons carrying food grains for the Food Corporation of India (FCI), arrived and was unloaded promptly.
- Operational since 2014, Mendipathar Railway Station is equipped with four lines and a goods circulating area, making it an important hub for freight movement in Meghalaya. Railway officials stated that this development will boost the local economy and facilitate the smooth transport of essential commodities across the region.
- Meanwhile, Shillong remains the only Indian state capital without a railway line, due to ongoing opposition from local stakeholders. Despite the ₹10,440 crore allocation for Northeast railway infrastructure announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Shillong’s railway expansion remains stalled until state authorities address concerns and secure public support.
Click here to find 826 similar incidents of Focus on States -> North East India
2686. Kashmir tourism: Z-Morh Tunnel opens Sonamarg for travel and business all year long
- On February 7, 2025, the Z-Morh Tunnel officially opened Sonamarg for year-round travel and business, significantly boosting tourism and local livelihoods. The ₹2,717 crore project, spanning 11.98 km, ensures continuous connectivity to the Sonamarg area in Ganderbal district, transforming it into a year-round tourist destination.
- Prime Minister inaugurated the tunnel on January 13, alongside Union Minister, J&K LG, and former CM. 6.4 km tunnel as a "Marvel of Engineering," highlighting its parallel escape tunnel, 3.7 km creeper lane, and multiple bridges, which enhance safety and accessibility.
- Local traders have welcomed the development, stating that they can now earn throughout the year, unlike earlier when harsh winters forced them to shut operations for months. The project marks a major step in improving connectivity and fostering economic growth in one of Kashmir’s most scenic destinations.
Click here to find 102 similar incidents of FOCUS on JAMMU KASHMIR, LADAKH -> Tourism Industry
2687. J&K Electrifies 129 Villages Under DDUGJY, Secures ₹77.10 Crore Additional Funds
- On February 6, 2025, Jammu & Kashmir successfully electrified 129 villages under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), while Ladakh recorded 3.77 lakh electrified households under the Saubhagya Scheme. These initiatives aim to bring uninterrupted power supply to remote and rural areas.
- As part of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), J&K has been allocated ₹77.10 crore for additional electrification, while Ladakh has received ₹20.18 crore under the Vibrant Villages Programme to improve infrastructure in remote settlements.
- Additionally, the Central Government sanctioned ₹178.43 crore for electrification and distribution infrastructure in Ladakh’s border areas. These strategic power distribution improvements are expected to enhance daily living conditions, boost economic activities, and support regional development in both J&K and Ladakh.
2688. Meghalaya launches free medical transport service to boost healthcare access
- On February 6, 2025, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh launched a free medical transport service aimed at improving healthcare access, especially in remote areas. The initiative includes five Urbania vans and five air-conditioned buses, operated by PA Sangma International Medical College & Hospital under USTM.
- The transport service will cover areas within a 50-kilometre radius of the USTM campus while also connecting Shillong City to PIMC. By eliminating transportation barriers, the initiative seeks to ensure timely medical aid for patients, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
- Health officials expect the service to benefit elderly patients and those from remote villages, who often struggle to reach medical facilities. The air-conditioned buses will enhance patient comfort, particularly during emergencies and extreme weather conditions. This marks a significant step in Meghalaya’s efforts to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure.
Click here to find 176 similar incidents of North East India -> Schemes by State Government
2689. SKIMS gets LC-MS facility for cancer detection
- On February 6, 2025, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura announced the acquisition of a state-of-the-art Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) system valued at ₹10.5 crore, provided by the Government of India. The facility is expected to become operational soon, significantly enhancing cancer diagnostics, research, and drug analysis.
- LC-MS technology is a powerful tool for detecting cancer biomarkers, aiding in early detection and personalized treatment approaches. According to Dr. Mohd Ashraf Ganaie, Director SKIMS, the institute remains committed to providing free and subsidized cancer drugs, ensuring better accessibility for patients.
- Cancer cases in Kashmir have been on the rise, with SKIMS Soura recording over 5,200 cases in 2024 and GMC Srinagar registering 1,300 cases. Dr. Shariq Rashid Masoodi, Head of Endocrinology at SKIMS, emphasized the importance of early detection, lifestyle modifications, and awareness in reducing cancer risks. Obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking were highlighted as modifiable risk factors contributing to cancer prevalence in the region.
2690. Kashmir apple exports hit 1,900 MTs worth Rs 12,000 cr this season
- On February 5, 2025, industry leaders confirmed that Kashmir’s apple exports surged to 1,900 metric tonnes between January 2024 and January 2025, generating ₹12,000 crore in revenue. Sopore Fruit Mandi alone contributed 900 metric tonnes worth ₹6,000 crore, reinforcing its status as Asia’s largest fruit market.
- The increase in exports is largely attributed to improved road connectivity, reducing travel time from Sopore to Jammu to just five hours. New four-lane roads and tunnels have significantly streamlined transportation, ensuring timely deliveries and better prices for apple growers. Over 25,000 truckloads of apples have been dispatched across the country, with some stock still in cold storage awaiting shipment.
- Despite this success, growers fear a major crisis due to an ongoing dry spell, which could reduce moisture levels in orchards and impact apple quality and production. Industry leaders have urged the government to provide irrigation support and intensify checks on counterfeit pesticides to safeguard Kashmir’s apple industry, a key pillar of the region’s economy.
Click here to find 93 similar incidents of FOCUS on JAMMU KASHMIR, LADAKH -> Industrial Development