House Listing Operations (HLO) will be conducted across Jammu and Kashmir from June 1 to June 30 as part of the forthcoming Census 2027 exercise, with self-enumeration beginning 15 days prior to the field operations, officials said on Wednesday.

The schedule was finalised by the Union Territory Level Census Coordination Committee, which met on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo. Officials said the government will issue the necessary notification by January 31.

To ensure smooth self-enumeration, technical assistants and charge officials will be deployed to guide citizens during the 15-day self-enumeration period preceding the house listing operations.

During the meeting, Director Census Operations for J&K and Ladakh, Amit Sharma, made a detailed presentation on the framework and key features of Census 2027, which will be India’s first fully digital census.

The presentation highlighted several key innovations, including the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS), the provision for self-enumeration by citizens, and caste enumeration. The sequence of census activities—covering training, self-enumeration, house listing, and population enumeration—along with detailed timelines, was also outlined.

Emphasising the importance of effective field-level implementation, the committee approved the expedited hiring of manpower for Census 2027 at the UT, district and charge levels.

Deputy commissioners were directed to constitute District Level Census Cells and nominate officers for coordination, training and supervision. Instructions were also issued for the timely identification of master trainers, supervisors and enumerators.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo stressed the need for close coordination between the administration and the census directorate and directed all deputy commissioners to extend full support to ensure the smooth, accurate and timely conduct of the census exercise. He assured full cooperation from the UT government for the successful completion of the process.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday inaugurated the newly redeveloped Amira Kadal pedestrian bridge in Srinagar, saying the project reflects the administration’s effort to blend the city’s rich heritage with modern urban amenities under the Srinagar Smart City initiative.

Speaking to reporters after the inauguration, the Lieutenant Governor said the project was aimed at creating vibrant cultural and public spaces by integrating Srinagar’s traditional character with contemporary infrastructure.

“This is an old bridge whose redesigning began in 2023. Today, it has been dedicated to the residents of Srinagar. Under the Smart City project, we have ensured that ancient heritage and modern amenities are linked so that vibrant cultural spaces are created in the city,” Sinha said.

He said the administration’s focus has consistently been on reviving Srinagar’s historic connection with its traditions, whether through pedestrian bridges, riverfront development projects or the creation of public parks.

Officials said the wooden pedestrian bridge is expected to significantly improve pedestrian mobility across the Jhelum river while preserving the historic character of the Amira Kadal area.

The redeveloped bridge will provide safe and convenient access to the Jhelum riverfront and ensure seamless connectivity with key heritage and commercial zones, including Goni Khan, Maharaja Bazar and Hari Singh High Street, they added.

The project is part of a broader effort under the Srinagar Smart City programme to rejuvenate public spaces while maintaining the city’s architectural and cultural identity.

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said his party has faced bullets for remaining with India and is prepared to do so again if necessary, dismissing the BJP’s allegation that the NC wants to revive stone-pelting and terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a two-day convention of NC block presidents and secretaries, the former chief minister laughed off remarks attributed to a senior BJP leader claiming that the NC and the PDP thrive on unrest in the region.

“Tell him those who want to create disturbance are them, not us. We have taken bullets for staying with India, and we are ready to take them again if needed,” Abdullah said.

Rejecting calls for a fresh bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah described such demands as “foolish and ignorant.” He also ruled out the creation of new districts or separate divisions within the Union Territory.

Responding to demands for separate divisions for the Pir Panjal and Chenab valleys, Abdullah said these proposals were rooted in the Dixon Plan, a 1950 proposal by UN representative Sir Owen Dixon to divide the former state of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The Dixon Plan is very old. Many people want to break the state, but they will never succeed,” he said, adding that the existing districts were sufficient and only needed effective administration.

Abdullah also criticised demands for separating Jammu from Kashmir and Ladakh, reiterating that the National Conference had never supported such ideas. Expressing hope that Ladakh, which was made a Union Territory in 2019, would one day be reunited with the former state, he said even people in Ladakh now oppose UT status.

“What benefit did Ladakh get? Even the people of Ladakh today say they want to return. Inshallah, one day Ladakh will come back,” he said.

Responding to PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s remarks on unemployment, Abdullah questioned her record as chief minister and that of her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, saying it was easy to criticise others while ignoring one’s own responsibilities.

On foreign policy issues, Abdullah commented on US President Donald Trump’s reported invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to join a proposed ‘Board of Peace’ on Gaza, saying the two leaders share a long-standing relationship that has seen ups and downs.

On the issue of talks with Pakistan, Abdullah accused sections of the media of having “Pakistan phobia” and recalled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s remark that neighbours cannot be changed. He also rejected the notion that recklessness was limited to any one country.

The minimum temperature dropped across most parts of the Kashmir valley as the region braces for spells of rain and snowfall later this week, raising the possibility of the first snowfall in the plains this winter, officials said on Tuesday.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius on Monday night, down from minus 1.2 degrees Celsius the previous night.

The tourist resort of Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district was the coldest place in the valley, registering a low of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius. In south Kashmir, Shopian and Pulwama towns recorded minimum temperatures of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius and minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, respectively.

The famous tourist destination of Pahalgam, which also serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.4 degrees Celsius, a sharp drop from minus 1.8 degrees Celsius the previous night.

Meanwhile, the ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded a low of minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, nearly two degrees lower than the previous night.

Other places in the valley also witnessed sub-zero temperatures, with Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recording minus 2.3 degrees Celsius, Kokernag minus 0.6 degrees Celsius, and Kupwara minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, officials said.

The Kashmir valley is currently experiencing ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, the harshest 40-day winter period, during which temperatures often plunge several degrees below the freezing point and the likelihood of snowfall remains high. The period began on December 21 and will end on January 30.

While the higher reaches of the valley have already received several spells of snowfall, the plains, including Srinagar, have remained snowless so far this winter. However, the Meteorological Department has forecast the possibility of snowfall in the plains during the ongoing week.

According to the Met Office, two western disturbances are likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir in quick succession from January 22 to 24 and again from January 26 to 28.

Under the influence of these systems, widespread light to moderate rain and snowfall is expected across the region, with heavy snowfall at isolated places. The main spell of weather activity is likely on January 23 and January 27, officials said.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday inaugurated the redeveloped Amira Kadal Bridge in Srinagar, describing it as a symbol of the city’s blend of heritage and modern infrastructure under the Srinagar Smart City Project.

Speaking to reporters after the inauguration, the Lieutenant Governor said the historic bridge—among the oldest in the city—has been completely rebuilt and equipped with modern amenities to enhance pedestrian convenience.

“The Amira Kadal Bridge, reconstructed under the Smart City initiative, reflects our commitment to integrating Srinagar’s rich heritage with contemporary civic facilities,” Sinha said.

He added that the project is aimed at creating vibrant public spaces and reconnecting Srinagar’s historic core with modern urban life. “Through such initiatives, the traditional charm and the old connection between Srinagar and Shehr-e-Khaas will be revived,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Officials said the redeveloped bridge features smart lighting, seating areas and improved pedestrian pathways, making it a key cultural and pedestrian landmark linking Lal Chowk with adjoining markets along the Jhelum riverfront.