Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday unveiled a series of major initiatives for the development of Katra, including the construction of a grand temple dedicated to Adi Shankaracharya and the establishment of an International Museum of Goddess Devi.

Addressing the public, Sinha said several facilities have already been set up in Katra and announced plans to launch helicopter services from Katra to the Shiv Khori cave shrine of Lord Shiva, expected to be operational within three months.

Shankaracharya Temple and Goddess Museum

Sinha laid the foundation stone of the Shankaracharya temple, a project first conceived in 1967, describing it as a state-of-the-art facility. The initiative follows the proposed International Museum of Goddess Devi, which will feature replicas and representations of major ‘devi’ pilgrimage sites from across India at Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi.

“Adi Shankaracharya undertook a cross-country visit and set up four maths. He also visited Jammu and Kashmir. A temple in Srinagar dedicated to Shankaracharya attracts hundreds of pilgrims,” Sinha said. “Now, the Shrine Board, district administration, and residents have collectively decided to construct a grand temple dedicated to him. A temple for the local deity will also be built.”

Infrastructure and Pilgrim Facilities

The LG highlighted plans to strengthen road infrastructure and construct 50 shops to support local livelihoods. Renovation of the Bhoomika temple and improved facilities for devotees are also in the pipeline.

The International Museum of Goddess Devi will feature a light and sound show inspired by those at Somnath Temple and the Statue of Unity, offering visitors a rich spiritual and cultural experience.

Helicopter Service to Shiv Khori

To ease pilgrim access to the Shiv Khori shrine, the Shiv Khori Shrine Board and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board have decided to operationalise helicopter services between Katra and Shiv Khori. Helipads at both locations are nearing completion, with flights expected to begin within three months.

Social Welfare and Disaster Relief

Sinha also announced a joint rehabilitation programme for ponywalas and laborers, following recommendations by an empowered committee under the National Green Tribunal. The Shrine Board will take full responsibility for their phased rehabilitation.

He praised the Shrine Board for its role during recent floods, including organising health camps, supplying essential materials, and reconstructing 15 schools damaged by heavy rainfall. Last year, the Board constructed five temples, with five more under construction and another five planned in Diggar for local residents.

“Along with the municipality and the Jammu and Kashmir administration, the Shrine Board will provide financial support for the town’s modernisation and infrastructure development,” Sinha added, emphasizing holistic development for Katra.

Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana on Wednesday stated that the government is taking multiple measures to strengthen drinking water infrastructure in the Basohli constituency through various Water Supply Schemes (WSSs) across rural and urban areas.

Replying to a question raised by MLA Darshan Kumar in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the Minister said that for rural areas, drinking water supply is being strengthened through 43 schemes, including 42 under the Jal Jeevan Mission worth ₹242.46 crore and one under NABARD. “Of these, six schemes have been completed while the remaining are at advanced stages of completion,” he added.

For urban areas, water supply is being maintained through existing schemes, which are further enhanced under AMRUT 2.0. Under this, a project titled “Augmentation and Improvement of Water Supply System in Basohli Town under AMRUT 2.0” has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of ₹12.60 crore to boost the overall water infrastructure.

To ensure uninterrupted drinking water access during the execution of these schemes, water is being supplied through existing systems and water tankers are deployed wherever needed.

The Minister also provided details on the progress of completed, ongoing, and commissioned water supply schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission in the constituency. He informed that the Government of India has extended the Jal Jeevan Mission timeline up to December 2028 and assured that all pending schemes will be completed within this period, with strenuous efforts underway for timely completion.

Regarding contractor payments, Rana said that Call Deposit Receipts (CDRs), Security Deposits, and Performance Security amounts are being released strictly as per the terms and conditions of the respective contracts.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday presented 13 Demands and 19 Supplementary Demands in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. The proposals were tabled before the House for discussion by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather.

Addressing the House, the Chief Minister said, “I move that a sum not exceeding the aggregate amount mentioned in Demand Nos. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14, 19, 20, 24, 31 and 33 be granted to the Government to defray charges during the year ending 31st March, 2027 in respect of Heads indicated in the List of Business against each demand.”

These Demands for Grants pertain to several departments under the Chief Minister’s charge, including the General Administration Department, Planning, Monitoring and Development, Information, Power, Finance, Parliamentary Affairs, Law & Justice, Revenue, Housing, Tourism, Hospitality & Protocol, Estates, Culture, and Disaster Management.

He further added, “I also move that a sum not exceeding the aggregate amount mentioned in Supplementary Demand Nos. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 30, 32, 35 and 36 be granted to the Government to defray charges during the year ending 31st March, 2026 in respect of Heads indicated in the List of Business against each demand.”

The discussion on Demands for Grants will continue on February 18 and 19, with the Chief Minister scheduled to reply on February 19 afternoon. This will be followed by a voice vote in the House to pass the demands.

February 18: Jammu and Kashmir cricket team scripted history by reaching the final of the Ranji Trophy for the first time in their 67-year history, defeating two-time former champions Bengal cricket team by six wickets on the fourth day of their semifinal on Wednesday.

Chasing a modest target of 126 set by the hosts, Jammu and Kashmir completed the run chase in 34.4 overs, finishing at 126 for 4. Vanshaj Sharma remained unbeaten on 43, while Abdul Samad scored an unbeaten 30, as the duo guided the team home with a crucial 55-run partnership.

The victory was set up by pace spearhead Auqib Nabi, who claimed nine wickets in the match to dismantle Bengal’s batting and put his side in a commanding position.

Jammu and Kashmir first participated in the Ranji Trophy in the 1959–60 season and had never been considered serious title contenders. In the 2013–14 season, they reached the knockout stage for the first time in over a decade, but this marks their maiden appearance in the final.

Resuming day four at 43 for 2, Jammu and Kashmir lost overnight batter Shubham Pundir (27) and skipper Paras Dogra (9) early in the morning session. However, Sharma and Samad held their nerve to steer the side to a historic triumph.

Brief Scores:

Bengal: 328 and 99 (25.1 overs)

Jammu and Kashmir: 302 and 126/4 (34.4 overs) – Vanshaj Sharma 43*; Abdul Samad 30*

Saffron production in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has declined to 19.58 metric tonnes (MT) in 2024–25 from 23.53 MT recorded in 2023–24, according to official data tabled in the House.

In a written reply to a question raised by Hasnain Masoodi, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary said that while the total area under saffron cultivation has remained constant at 1,116.27 hectares, overall output and productivity have fluctuated over the past five years.

As per the data shared, saffron production stood at 17.33 MT in 2020–21, declining to 14.87 MT in 2021–22 and marginally improving to 14.94 MT in 2022–23. The sector witnessed a sharp rise in 2023–24 with output reaching 23.53 MT, before falling again in 2024–25.

Average productivity, combining traditional and rejuvenated fields, improved from 4.02 kg per hectare in 2022–23 to 6.33 kg per hectare in 2023–24. However, it slipped to 5.27 kg per hectare in 2024–25.

Exports also registered a dip during the period under review. Saffron exports in 2024–25 were recorded at 17.82 MT, compared to 20.47 MT in the previous year. The total value of saffron production during 2024–25 stood at ₹534.53 crore, while export earnings were pegged at ₹486.43 crore.

Providing details of traditional (non-rejuvenated) saffron areas, Choudhary said production from these fields was 5.02 MT in 2024–25, with a productivity of 4.5 kg per hectare. In 2023–24, traditional areas produced 5.44 MT, with productivity of 4.87 kg per hectare.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the government is making efforts to stabilise and enhance saffron productivity through improved agronomic practices and rejuvenation measures aimed at strengthening the sector.