Baba Reshi- Gulmarg road project under review: Deputy CM

JAMMU : Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, on Thursday said that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for construction of Baba Reshi- Gulmarg Road has been prepared at an estimated cost of Rs. 40.34 crore.
He was replying to a question raised by the Legislator Irfan Hafiz Lone in the Legislative Assembly.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the project is presently under examination. He informed that the estimates for the balance work of up-gradation, macadamization and completion of the Dandmouh- Setrisem-Nagbal road is under preparation stage.
However, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the work shall be taken up under the appropriate head of account, subject to availability of resources.
Govt releases Rs 137 cr for upgrading sports infra in J&K: Satish Sharma
Rs. 3.31 cr allocated for Samba district
The Government today informed the house that an amount of over Rs. 137 crore has been released for upgradation of sports infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir during 2025-26.
Besides, an amount of over Rs. 2.57 crore has been released for upgrading sports infrastructure in  Samba district alone during the current financial year.
This information was given by Minister for Youth Services and Sports Satish Sharma while replying to a question raised by Chander Parkash Ganga.
The Minister further said that an amount of Rs.150 crore has been approved   under the Capex budget for sports sector and related activities  in Jammu and Kashmir, of which, Rs. 56.57 crore stand expended upto December 2025.
The Minister also informed that the activities undertaken in Vijaypur constituency included development of Playfield at Katwalta Purmandal, Chain Link Fencing around Synthetic Handball Court at Government HS Tarore Bari Brahmana, Playground at Rahya Morh Panchayat Halqa Patti near Railway Crossing Vijaypur, Sports Stadium at Birpur Vijaypur and Kick Boxing Ring at Panchayat Bagla Rahya Vijaypur.
Govt committed to connect every habitation with robust road connectivity: Deputy CM
Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary today said that the government is committed to connect every habitation with robust road connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Deputy Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by legislator Javid Hassan Baig in the Legislative Assembly.
He further informed that a structured and phased approach is being adopted for road development through flagship schemes such as PMGSY, CRIF, NABARD (RIDF), and UT Capex, in accordance with the J&K Road Policy-2021. He added that the planning, sanctioning and execution processes of projects under these schemes  are time bound and subjected to regular reviews and monitoring. This will ensure timely completion and delivery of safe, durable and all weather road connectivity across the Union Territory, he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that under the Supreme Court directions for well maintained and safe motorable roads, the Public Works (R&B) Department is undertaking construction, upgradation and systematic maintenance of road infrastructure across the UT under various Central Sector Schemes (CSS) and UT Sector schemes.
He said that the J&K Road Policy-2021 has been notified to ensure assured funding, transparency and planned maintenance. He added that the roads are being planned and executed as per IRC standards, with in-built safety provisions such as crash barriers, signage, road furniture, identification of accident-prone locations and mandatory maintenance during and after construction.
The Deputy Chief Minister also said that special emphasis is being laid on connectivity to remote, hilly and inaccessible areas to ensure equitable development. He said that the Directorate Investigation & Quality Control (DIQC) wing of the Public Works (R&B) Department is mandated to ensure planning excellence, technical soundness and uncompromising quality in creation and maintenance of road and bridge infrastructure. He added that the DIQC is entrusted to ensure road infrastructure across J&K is safe, durable, reliable and serviceable in all seasons, thereby supporting economic activity, social inclusion and regional integration.
The Deputy CM said that DIQC is responsible for technical vetting, quality assurance and compliance with prescribed standards.
Drug De-addiction rules near finalization: Health Minister
Advocates collective fight against drug abuse
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today informed the House that the drug de-addiction rules are currently being finalized and are expected to be completed soon. Once implemented, these rules are anticipated to significantly enhance efforts to combat the drug menace across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister said this while replying to a question on ‘Drug De-addiction Centers’ raised by Legislator Sham Lal Sharma on behalf of Devyani Rana.
While speaking during the question hour of the ongoing Budget Session on various supplementaries raised by Legislators, the Minister said that a bill against drug menace will also be brought in the current session to tackle this rising social concern in J&K. She said that Medical and Chemist shops have been strictly asked to install CCTVs to keep check on sale of unauthorized drugs or medicines.
The Health Minister added that it is collective duty of all stakeholders including Legislators to come together and fight this evil, adding that Home department has primary role to play apart from Social Welfare or Education departments.
She informed the house that Drug De-addiction services are being strengthened across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir under the Health & Medical Education Department and  Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.  As of now, no new drug de-addiction centre is under consideration in the department, she added.
The Health Minister apprised that as of 2025, 11 ATFs are functional in Kashmir Division at SKIMS Soura, GMC Bemina Srinagar, GMC Anantnag, GMC Baramulla, GMC Handwara, District Hospital Kulgam, District Hospital Shopian, District Hospital Pulwama, District Hospital Budgam, District Hospital Ganderbal and District Hospital Bandipora, providing both OPD and IPD services.
She also informed that Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) are also available in GMC Doda, GMC Jammu, GMC Kathua, GMC AH Rajouri, GMC AH Udhampur, District Hospital Kishtwar, District Hospital Poonch, District Hospital Ramban, District Hospital Reasi providing both OPD and IPD services besides DH Samba functioning on OPD basis.
The Health Minister stated that several private NGOs are offering comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation services. She added that de-addiction OPD services are available in all 20 J&K districts, providing access to counselling and treatment. Besides, IPD services are catering to both male and female patients in 9 government medical colleges, with psychiatrists offering specialist support and clinical oversight. Legislators Hasnain Masoodi, Mir Saifullah, Mubarik Gul, Tanvir sadiq, Mohammad Yousuf Rather (Tarigami) and Surjit singh salathia raised Supplementary questions.