Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today chaired a meeting of the Tourism Department to review preparations for the Jammu Half Marathon and Ultra Marathon-2025, set to take place in February next year.

The meeting, attended by Commissioner Secretary of the Tourism Department, Deputy Commissioners from Jammu, Kathua, Samba, and Udhampur, as well as Traffic Police authorities and other officials, focused on finalizing the arrangements for the landmark event.

Registration and Promotions

Chief Secretary Dulloo emphasized the importance of launching the registration portal promptly to raise awareness among fitness enthusiasts. He directed the department to run sustained social media campaigns, including short videos, jingles, and creatives, to popularize the event. Dulloo also suggested involving popular national icons to promote the marathon and advised preparing a teaser by the end of December.

He proposed creating 40-50 promotional videos for various media platforms to generate excitement for the first-ever event of this scale in Jammu. Additionally, he recommended engaging sponsors from the hospitality, travel, tourism, and corporate sectors to ensure the marathon’s success.

Event Details and Prize Money

Commissioner Secretary of Tourism, Yasha Mudgal, provided updates on the arrangements. The registration portal, being developed by BISAG-N, is slated for launch by December 25. Certification and measurement of the 109-km Ultra Marathon track are in progress to finalize the route.

The event will feature multiple race formats:

• Ultra Marathon: 109 km
• Half Marathon: 21 km
• Fitness-Gauge Marathon: 10 km
• Fun Run: 5 km

Prizes for both men and women include:

• Half Marathon: Rs 15 lakhs (1st prize), Rs 12 lakhs (2nd prize), Rs 9 lakhs (3rd prize), Rs 5 lakhs (4th prize), and Rs 3 lakhs (5th prize).
• Fitness-Gauge Marathon: Rs 3 lakhs for the winner.
• Fun Run: Rs 1 lakh for the winner.

Total prize money across all categories amounts to Rs 1.33 crore.

Event Timing and Logistics

The races are scheduled for February 23 (Sunday), chosen for its favorable weather conditions. The Tourism Department aims to ensure all arrangements, including electrification, signaling, and certification, are completed seamlessly.

This initiative is expected to promote tourism and fitness while highlighting Jammu as a prime destination for outdoor sporting events. The event’s success is anticipated to bolster the region’s tourism industry and create a lasting legacy for future endeavors.

Historic Milestone Achieved in Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project

 The ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project marked a historic milestone today with the completion of the final track work for Tunnel T-33, connecting Katra to Reasi.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the news via social media, stating, “The ballast-less track work for the 3.2-km-long Tunnel T-33, located at the foothills of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and connecting Katra to Reasi, was successfully completed today at 02:00 hrs.”

Project Nears Completion

Official sources confirmed that with the completion of this track work, the USBRL project is expected to be fully operational by the end of this month. The Commissioner of Railway Safety is scheduled to inspect the site on December 16-17. Following six to 12 trial runs of the train along the 17-km stretch between Reasi and Katra Stations, the certification process is anticipated to conclude before year-end.

Excavation for Tunnel T-33, spanning 3,209 meters, was completed last December. Despite challenges such as a shear zone and high water ingress, progress has surged ahead, culminating in this remarkable achievement.

Prime Minister to Inaugurate Final Phase

Spanning a total of 272 km, the USBRL project is a national endeavor to connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India through a broad-gauge railway line. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the 17-km stretch between Katra and Reasi in January. The inaugural train is poised to bridge Kashmir and Delhi, covering an 800-km journey in under 13 hours.

Journey of the USBRL Project

The USBRL project has seen a phased development:

• Phase I: Qazigund-Baramulla (118 km) inaugurated in October 2009.
• Phase II: Banihal-Qazigund (18 km) inaugurated in June 2013.
• Phase III: Udhampur-Katra (25 km) inaugurated in July 2014.
• February 2024: First electric train trial conducted on the Banihal-Katra section.

The project comprises 38 tunnels (total length 119 km) and 927 bridges (total length 13 km), including the iconic Chenab Bridge. This engineering marvel boasts an arch span of 467 meters and a height of 359 meters above the river bed, making it taller than the Eiffel Tower and the world’s highest railway bridge.

Future Prospects

Completion of the USBRL project not only strengthens India’s infrastructure but also enhances connectivity to Jammu and Kashmir, opening doors for tourism and economic development. The electrification and signaling processes are on track for completion, ensuring a smooth rollout of train operations in the new year.

General Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief of Army Staff of Nepal, met with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss various aspects of India-Nepal bilateral relations. The meeting focused on strengthening defence cooperation and addressing mutual concerns between the two neighbouring countries.

During the discussions, Rajnath Singh emphasized that as close neighbours, India and Nepal share similar perspectives on several issues. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to enhancing its relations with Nepal under the framework of the ‘Neighborhood First Policy’. The Defence Minister expressed his deep satisfaction with the current state of bilateral ties, noting their robustness and mutual respect.

Rajnath Singh also highlighted key areas of defence cooperation between the two nations, including training programs, joint military exercises, and workshops. These efforts aim to enhance the capability of the Nepal Army. Additionally, the two leaders discussed the supply of defence equipment and other materials to further strengthen Nepal’s military preparedness.

In a symbolic gesture of the strong ties between India and Nepal, Rajnath Singh congratulated General Ashok Raj Sigdel on being conferred the Honorary rank of General of the Indian Army, a prestigious distinction that has been traditionally awarded to the Chiefs of the Nepal Army.

General Sigdel is currently on a four-day visit to India, during which he is expected to hold additional discussions on enhancing defence cooperation and regional security.

Anil Kumar, Minister for Science & Technology in the Uttar Pradesh Government, and Danish Azad Ansari, Minister of State for Minority Welfare, Uttar Pradesh, today called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in Jammu to extend an official invitation for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. The invitation was extended on behalf of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

During the meeting, the ministers requested that cultural organizations and citizens from Jammu and Kashmir actively participate in the Maha Kumbh Mela, which is recognized as the world’s largest public gathering and spiritual pilgrimage. The religious festival is scheduled to be held in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, 2025, and will attract millions of devotees from across India and abroad.

The ministers emphasized the importance of J&K’s involvement in this sacred event, highlighting the opportunity for cultural exchange and spiritual connection. The Maha Kumbh Mela is expected to be a grand celebration, and J&K’s participation would showcase the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Member of Legislative Assembly from Chenani, also called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to discuss regional matters and ongoing developmental initiatives in the Chenani area.