RAMBAN: The District Administration Ramban is in the process of formulating a GIS-based Master Plan for Ramban and Banihal Townships envisaging planned urban development and sustainable infrastructure growth.

The draft for the plan was reviewed at a meeting held today under the directions of Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan.   Chief Planning Officer Dr. Shakeeb Ahmed Rather; DFO Anil V. John; CEO Municipal Council Ramban Sudershan Jamwal; Executive Officer Municipal Committee Banihal Ishan, besides revenue officers and officials of stakeholder departments attended the meeting.

Domain experts associated with the project, including Dr. Ashfaque Alam, Team Lead for Urban and Regional Planning- Land Management and Governance and Dr. Mayank Dubey, Deputy Team Lead for Urban Mobility and Infrastructure Planning, delivered a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the proposed master plan and sought comments and suggestions from the stakeholder departments.

The presentation covered key aspects of the plan, including the base map of the planning area, demographic and socio-economic overview, planning methodology, survey framework, ground-truthing survey conducted by Sankalan, primary and household surveys, traffic count survey, secondary data collection, objectives and scope of the master plan and geo-referencing challenges.

Detailed discussions were held on the urban planning issues concerning the twin towns, including infrastructure requirements, traffic management, land use planning and civic amenities.

The domain experts also apprised the participants about further course of action for formulation of the final master plan for the Highway Towns. Suggestions and observations conveyed on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner, along with inputs from stakeholder departments, were noted by the concerned experts for incorporation in the final draft.

The meeting emphasized the importance of a comprehensive and practical planning framework to facilitate systematic urban expansion and improved governance in both towns of the district.

In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here