EPG Raises Environmental Concerns Over Srinagar-Pahalgam Road Project

19 Mar 2025 CW Team

The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has voiced strong opposition to the proposed Srinagar-Pahalgam road via Khrew, warning of severe ecological damage and biodiversity loss. The project, which involves felling 845 trees and acquiring 108 kanals of forest land, has raised alarms among environmentalists who argue that the environmental costs far outweigh the benefits, including a 30-kilometre reduction in travel distance.

With two existing roads already linking Srinagar and Pahalgam, the EPG questions the necessity of a third route. The group also warns that tunneling alternatives could weaken rock formations, disrupt water sources, and pose significant risks in the seismically active Zone 5. Citing past environmental disasters in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the EPG urges authorities to reconsider before proceeding.

The proposed road is expected to cut through the Notified Wildlife Sanctuary at Tral, threatening local flora, fauna, and natural water cycles. While the project is being promoted as a boost for tourism and employment, the EPG stresses that Kashmir’s natural beauty is its greatest asset and must be preserved for sustainable development.

The group has called for an immediate halt to the project until a comprehensive environmental impact assessment is conducted. Additionally, the project requires Supreme Court clearance before any construction can begin.

(kashmirlife)

Real Estate

05 Sep 2025

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..