SRINAGAR LEH NATIONAL HIGHWAY
Ladakh announces December 4 council polls amid shutdown
Ladakh's State Election Commission has announced December 4 as the polling date for all eight LAHDCs, with counting scheduled for December 8. The announcement comes amid protests and shutdowns in Kargil and Sankoo, with the Apex Body Leh opposing winter elections and demanding a review of the delimitation exercise.
47 out of 50 most polluted cities of the world in India, Delhi gets a high rank
According to live air quality rankings, India has 47 of the world's 50 most polluted cities. Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan is the most polluted city globally, recording an alarming AQI of 671. Following closely are several cities from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, with AQIs exceeding 300. Delhi ranks 13th in the world, highlighting the widespread air quality crisis in northern India.
Ladakh's Kargil region may witness 'complete shutdown' today
Civil society organizations in Kargil have called for a complete shutdown on November 10. They demand the postponement of elections for the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. Concerns arise that elections may take place during the winter migration period. Political parties and various groups have shown their support for this shutdown. A candlelight march will further emphasize their demand for democratic representation in the region.
US opens probe into 2,895 Waymo vehicles over school bus safety violations
NHTSA said it was reviewing whether a software update implemented by Waymo under a December 2025 recall adequately addressed a defect that could cause Waymo vehicles to pass school buses displaying flashing red lights or extended stop arms after initially slowing or stopping.
Red Fort blast: Year-long anti-terror push results in 300 arrests, 73 deportations
As the anniversary of the Red Fort blast approaches, security agencies are maintaining heightened vigilance across the country. A crackdown over the past year resulted in over 300 arrests and the deportation of 73 high-value fugitives. The investigation revealed the involvement of a 'Doctor Module' composed of professionals coordinated by radical elements. New regulations have been implemented to monitor the sale of explosives to prevent future attacks.
LG Ladakh congratulates IAF on successful landing of IL-76MD aircraft at Nyoma airbase
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena congratulated the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday on the successful landing of its heavy-lift IL-76MD aircraft at the newly developed Nyoma Airbase in Changthang district, describing it as a significant achievement for India’s military preparedness and forward-deployment capabilities in high-altitude regions.
- Go To Page 1
NC faces internal dissent as MLAs question Omar Abdullah's leadership
National Conference faces internal dissent with MLAs expressing concerns regarding Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's leadership style. The resignation of Aga Ruhullah as Srinagar MP has intensified these grievances among party members. Farooq Abdullah, the party president, has intervened to mediate the situation and address the dissident legislators' demands. Resentment over recent appointments, particularly that of Nasir Aslam Wani, is also contributing to the unrest.
Manipur Police, CRPF, BSF, Assam Rifles & Army launch search ops
Security forces in Manipur are actively searching for individuals involved in recent civilian killings and arson incidents. The police are coordinating efforts with multiple security agencies to conduct operations in affected areas. A six-day shutdown called by the Committee on Tribal Unity has been paused after negotiations with the government.
Mirwaiz disallowed to address congregation at Jama Masjid in Kashmir for second consecutive Friday
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq faced restrictions that prevented him from addressing the Friday congregation at Jama Masjid. His house detention has persisted for nearly a week, enforced by police deployment and barricades. Authorities have restricted access to him, denying visits from others during this period. These measures follow his previous sermon referencing a report on civil liberties and political engagements.
Farooq Abdullah dismisses NC rift reports as ‘baseless rumours’ after meeting with dissident MLAs
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has rejected reports of a split in the ruling party after meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and MLAs who had raised concerns over its functioning. He said the leadership had heard their grievances and would take steps to strengthen the party and the government.
NHAI issues guidelines to standardise design and infrastructure for multi-lane free flow tolling
NHAI, in a statement, said the guidelines will ensure that upcoming and ongoing national highway projects are equipped to support MLFF-based barrier-free toll collection without requiring vehicles to stop at toll booths.
Nitin Gadkari says UP farmers will soon produce hydrogen from water that will run planes, cars and trains
Nitin Gadkari's hydrogen plan: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari says Uttar Pradesh farmers will soon produce hydrogen from water and agricultural waste that will power aircraft, cars and railway engines. He also highlighted ethanol production, alternative fuels and the state's potential to become an energy exporter from a net importer. The state was known as Bimaru state.
Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi resigns from Lok Sabha and National Conference amid party disagreements
Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, the MP from Srinagar, recently resigned from his position in Lok Sabha and the National Conference. His resignation was accepted, effective November 3, 2026, amid rising tensions with party leadership. Mehdi publicly criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC president Farooq Abdullah during a memorial event for his father. Following his comments, party members accused him of betrayal and failure in his duties.
Flanked by 'dissident MLAs,' Farooq Abdullah says no rift within National Conference
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah emphasised party unity following a meeting with disgruntled MLAs. The meeting aimed to address concerns regarding the recent cabinet expansion and party organization. Abdullah stated that the concerns of the legislators were genuine and would be taken into consideration. Assurance was given to address some issues immediately while others would be resolved gradually.
Nitin Gadkari wants to change how India's city roads are built; after highways, he's turning his attention to engineers, quality and accountability
Nitin Gadkari has called for a national mission on urban roads, stressing better project preparation, skilled engineers and accountability. Speaking at MARG 2026 in New Delhi, he also highlighted integrated planning between road, metro and rail agencies and showcased urban road development models in Bengaluru and Uttar Pradesh.
World's highest railway station in Ladakh at 17,244 feet: India planning a Rs 1.3 lakh crore railway line that will break China's record
World's highest railway station: India is planning a 489-km Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line costing an estimated Rs 1.31 lakh crore. The proposed corridor could feature the world's highest railway station at 5,256 metres beneath Tanglang La, surpassing China's existing record. Here's what we know about the ambitious Himalayan railway project, its route, tunnels and strategic importance.
Two soldiers killed as army vehicle plunges into gorge in Ladakh
Two Army personnel were killed after their vehicle plunged into a 600-foot-deep gorge at Namika La Pass on the Kargil-Leh national highway on Wednesday. The accident occurred around 1.30 pm when the vehicle veered off the road. Rescue teams recovered the bodies of the driver and co-driver and shifted them to a nearby hospital for postmortem examination.
NHAI will dig up rivers to build highways: 1,078 lakh cubic metres of silt identified to tackle Bihar floods & speed up roadwork
The Centre and Bihar government have launched the 'Nadi Sanjivani' initiative to tackle recurring floods through river desilting while supporting highway construction. Under the agreement, NHAI will use 1,078 lakh cubic metres of excavated silt and sand in ongoing and upcoming national highway projects. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the initiative could serve as a model for other states.
Aga Ruhullah quits National Conference, resigns as Srinagar MP over party's 'betrayal' of J&K promises
National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi resigned from the party and Parliament on Tuesday, accusing it of betraying promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, including on Article 370. The party hit back, calling his resignation an example of "moral and mental bankruptcy" and accusing him of empty rhetoric.
Ladakh administration asks Sonam Wangchuk-founded institute to halt school activities pending HC decision
The Ladakh administration has directed the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, founded by Sonam Wangchuk, to stop activities at its Desert Flower School in Leh until the High Court delivers its decision in a pending matter concerning the institute. The notice cited the absence of requisite approvals and clearances for starting classes.
CRPF goes a year without losing personnel in operations for first time in 47 years
The CRPF has completed 12 consecutive months without an operational fatality for the first time in 47 years, with its last such casualty reported on October 30, 2025. The force attributed the milestone to improved equipment, training, strategic planning and faster medical evacuation of injured personnel.
Road ministry signs MoU with Bihar to use river silt for national highways construction
The ministry of road transport and highways signed an MoU with the Bihar government for river desilting. This initiative aims to use excavated silt in ongoing and future National Highway construction projects. A total of 1,078 lakh cubic metres of silt is planned for utilization in 43 highway projects in Bihar.
No more land acquisition for toll plazas: Future highway tolls to collect tolls from moving vehicles through overhead cameras, eliminating the need to build physical toll booths
NHAI has made Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling mandatory for all future National Highway projects, including eligible ongoing construction. The new system will use overhead gantries, FASTag readers and number plate recognition cameras instead of conventional toll booths. Toll plazas will have up to eight tolling lanes, reducing land requirements and vehicle queues.
Security and compassion must go hand in hand: Sakina Itoo on convoy halts
Sakina Ittoo raised concerns regarding frequent traffic stoppages on the Srinagar-Anantnag-Kulgam-Qazigund National Highway. She emphasised the negative impact on ambulances and students during Army convoys. Ittoo called for practical traffic management measures that prioritise public well-being alongside security. The practice of stopping vehicles has been described as harassment and humiliation by locals and politicians. Ittoo appealed to authorities to balance security needs with the needs of citizens.
National highways face a report card test: Govt to assess potholes, road safety, congestion, toll plazas and user experience
The road transport and highways ministry is introducing a rating system to assess the performance of national highway corridors and improve the experience of road users. Highways will be ranked on three parameters: efficiency, safety and user experience, with separate criteria for expressways and designated high-speed corridors. Factors such as congestion, road conditions, accident rates, fatalities and toll plaza facilities will determine the ratings.
Road ministry to assess and rate all national highways
In a notification issued on Thursday, the ministry of road transport and highways said it will assess the overall performance of highways on three main parameters including highway efficiency, highway safety and user experience
Ladakh has only one operational liquor shop, LG Admin rebuts Sonam Wangchuk's claims
Sonam Wangchuk has raised concerns over the increase in liquor outlets in Ladakh, leading to protests by women. The UT administration responded by rejecting his claims as false and cautioned against spreading rumors. Wangchuk alleged that liquor shops were being opened despite local opposition, particularly near schools. The administration clarified that only one liquor shop is operational and the new Excise Policy was rolled back after public feedback.
India has its own moon-like landscape hidden in Ladakh. What makes this Himalayan place so unusual?
Lamayuru in Ladakh is famous for its moon-like landscape, featuring bright yellow, clay-textured formations believed by some studies to have developed from ancient lake and river deposits. Filmmaker Kanishk Gupta recently highlighted its unusual beauty on social media. The village is also home to an 11th-century monastery with beautiful frescoes and a meditation cave associated with Lama Naropa.
Ladakh SEC puts draft delimitation plan in public, seeks feedback
On October 21, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena notified 100 constituencies for the eight LAHDCs, nearly doubling the existing strength of 52 seats. Under the new structure notified through the LAHDC (Amendment) Regulation, 2026, Leh will have 22 constituencies, Kargil 21, Sankoo 13, Changthang 10, Nubra, Sham and Zanskar nine each, and Drass seven.
Load More
