New Delhi, Sep 11: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP), which fast-tracks the immigration process of pre-verified Indian nationals and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders, in five more airports.
The special initiative was first rolled out at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here in July 2024 and two months later launched in seven more airports — Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin and Ahmedabad. Today, the FTI-TTP was launched in Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Kozhikode and Amritsar.
“Fast Track Immigration: Trusted Traveller Programme makes immigration simpler, faster and hassle-free,” the minister said at a special programme held virtually.
OCI card holders and Indian citizens travelling abroad will receive the maximum benefit under the programme, Shah said. So far, three lakh people have registered and 2.65 lakh availed the facility so far.
The programme ensures faster immigration clearance. Several thousand passengers have been granted faster immigration clearance through e-gates till now, officials added.
The FTI-TTP, aimed at facilitating international mobility with faster, smoother, secure immigration clearance, has been started for Indian nationals and OCI card holders on a gratis basis in the initial phase .
The FTI-TTP is similar to the Global Entry Program offered by the US that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival in America in select airports, another official said.
The FTI-TTP will eventually be launched at 21 major airports in the country. Eligible passengers will be allowed to utilise e-gates and bypass regular immigration queues for a seamless journey. They will need to apply online and submit their biometrics (fingerprint and facial image) along with other required information as specified in the application form. The FTI registration will be valid for a maximum of five years or until the validity of the passport, whichever comes first.
A traveller can avail the facility by applying through the government website www.ftittp.mha.gov.in and providing the required details, which will be verified by the Bureau of Immigration.
Approved applications would receive a message to schedule an appointment to provide their biometrics details at designated international airports in India or the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
The applicants need a minimum passport validity of at least six months.
The programme will be implemented in two phases — Indian citizens and OCI cardholders in the first and foreign travellers in the second.
The Bureau of Immigration will be the nodal agency for fast track immigration of various categories of travellers under this programme.
After necessary verification, a White List of ‘Trusted Travellers’ will be generated and fed for implementation through e-gates.
Once the genuine identity of the passenger is established and biometric authentication done, the e-gate will open automatically and immigration clearance will be deemed to have been granted.
The Union home ministry also shared a support help desk email ID — india.ftittp-boi@mha.gov.in.
Amit Shah Launches Faster Immigration Clearance Programme At 5 More Airports
One Dead, Several Injured After Tempo Overturns On NH-44 In Udhampur
UDHAMPUR, Sep 11: One person lost his life while several others were injured after a tempo overturned near Celebration Hall, Battal Ballian on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) on Thursday.
An official said, the vehicle was on its way from Jammu towards Udhampur at around 4:30 AM when it lost control and turned turtle, leaving multiple passengers injured.
All the injured were immediately shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) Udhampur for treatment, official said.
However, one of the injured, identified as Shakeel (40), son of Irshad and resident of Punia, Bihar, succumbed to his injuries, he said.
Police have taken cognizance of the incident, and further investigations are underway. (KNC)
Two Railway Parcel Vans To Take Valley’s Fruits To Jammu, Delhi
Railways will operate two parcel vans to export fruits from Kashmir to Jammu and Delhi, officials said on Thursday.
The move will bring relief to the horticulture sector in Kashmir Valley, which has suffered losses due to the prolonged closure of the National Highway 44, or the Srinagar-Jammu highway, due to torrential rains and floods in the Union Territory, they said.
Railway officials said two dedicated parcel vans will start transporting the Valley’s fruits to national markets from Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam station on Thursday.
“Today, two parcel vans will depart from Budgam station: one bound for Delhi and the other for Jammu, both laden with the season’s finest Kashmiri apples,” they said.
This marks the advent of a transformative era in Kashmir’s logistics, offering a faster, more reliable route for the Valley’s celebrated horticultural produce to reach national markets, railway officials said.
“By reducing the dependence on vulnerable road routes, these direct rail services signify a bold new chapter for commerce in the region — invigorating the horticulture sector and providing fresh impetus to the economy of Kashmir as a whole,” they added.
“Was Asking For Hospital, Slapped Him With PSA”: AAP’s Sanjay Singh On Arrest Of J&K MLA Mehraj Malik
Jammu, Sept 10: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh on Wednesday criticised the arrest of party MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA), calling it “unconstitutional”.
Malik, a legislator from Doda, has been detained under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978, on grounds that his activities were prejudicial to the maintenance of public order, officials said.
Singh, who arrived in Jammu earlier in the day, said he would meet party leaders in the region and review the next steps. He stated that the party would raise the issue on the “sadak” (streets), in the “sadan” (Parliament), and possibly in the Supreme Court as well.
“It is unconstitutional to slap the Public Safety Act (PSA) on Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Doda MLA, Mehraj Malik. This is the government’s anti-people mindset that a man was asking for a hospital, you slapped PSA on him,” Sanjay Singh said in Jammu.
He further alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is targeting AAP leaders.
“BJP, the Prime Minister is always after AAP, that is what is happening with us…We will take up this matter strongly, at the street and in Parliament, and we may also approach the Supreme Court,” he added.
Doda MLA Mehraj Malik was booked under provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act 1978 (PSA) on Monday on grounds of his activities being prejudicial to the maintenance of public order. Preventive detention under the PSA was found necessary in the interest of maintaining public order and safeguarding law and order in the region, according to officials.
Shamas Din Malik, father of the detained AAP MLA, said that his son was wrongly charged under the Public Safety Act (PSA), mentioning that the court will decide the legality of his arrest.
“The court will decide now…There was a fight with DC sahib (Deputy Commissioner of Doda)…He has been wrongly charged under PSA,” Shamas Din Malik said. (Agencies)
Lieutenant Governor visits Udhampur, inspects National Highway restoration works
Udhampur, September 09: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha today visited the Thard Village at Udhampur and reviewed the ongoing restoration works on National Highway-44.
The Lieutenant Governor was briefed by Shri RS Yadav, NHAI Regional Officer, J&K on the deployment of men and machinery for speedy restoration of National Highway. It was informed that the team is working round the clock and one lane will be open to traffic soon.
The Lieutenant Governor also interacted with the affected families and enquired about their wellbeing.
Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor visited the Health Camp organised by the Health Department at Gujjar Bakerwal Hostel, Jakhani, Udhampur and inspected the healthcare facilities at the Camp for the flood-affected families.
Shri Balwant Singh Mankotia, Member of Legislative Assembly from Chenani; Shri Pawan Kumar Gupta; Member of Legislative Assembly Udhampur West; Shri Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Shri Bhim Sen Tuti, IGP Jammu; Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary, Health and Medical Education; Ms Sarah Rizvi, DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range; Ms Saloni Rai, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur; Shri Amod Nagpure Ashok, SSP Udhampur, and other senior officers accompanied the Lieutenant Governor.
CM Omar Abdullah lays wreath, pays rich tributes to martyred soldiers of Kulgam encounter
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 09: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today laid the wreath and paid rich tributes to the brave soldiers who made ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty during Kulgam encounter.
Expressing profound sorrow over the loss, the Chief Minister said that the exemplary courage, unwavering valour, and ultimate sacrifice of these soldiers will be eternally remembered with deep respect and gratitude.
The Chief Minister further affirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of the families of martyrs and their continued support in all circumstances.
Lieutenant Governor visits Mega Health Camp for flood affected families in Jammu
Jammu, September 09: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha today visited the mega Health camp for flood affected families, organised by the Health Department, at Rajeev Colony Jammu.
The Lieutenant Governor interacted with the affected families. He patiently heard their concerns. The Lieutenant Governor assured the families that the Government of India and J&K administration is committed to the wellbeing of the people affected due to recent natural calamities in the UT.
The Lieutenant Governor was accompanied by Shri Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Shri Bhim Sen Tuti, IGP Jammu; Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary, Health and Medical Education; Dr Rakesh Minhas, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; Shri Devansh Yadav, Municipal Commissioner Jammu and other senior official
Speaker says Govt did not seek permission for arrest of MLA Doda Mehraj Malik
Srinagar, Sep 08: Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather on Monday clarified that the government had not sought any permission from him regarding the arrest of MLA Doda, Mehraj Malik.
Rather explained that under Rule 260 of the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker’s role is limited to being informed about the arrest of any legislator. “In Mehraj’s case, I too was informed and the same I conveyed to legislators,” Rather said.
He said that his office was not consulted nor required to give approval for the detention. “No permission was sought from me. I have no role in his arrest. The order has been issued by the District Commissioner. My only responsibility is to communicate the matter to the members,” he noted.
The Speaker further underlined that the decision on the legality of the arrest lies with the judiciary. “Rest, the court has to decide if anything has been done wrong,” he added.
The arrest of Mehraj Malik has sparked sharp reactions across political circles, with several parties condemning the move and questioning the grounds of his detention. Critics argue that the action sets a “dangerous precedent” by undermining the rights of elected representatives.
The matter is now expected to be taken up in the courts, where Malik’s legal team will contest the charges against him. Meanwhile, the Speaker’s clarification appears aimed at distancing the Assembly Secretariat from the ongoing controversy
Poonch Police Seizes JCB, Tipper and Two Tractor Trolleys Involved in Illegal Mining
Poonch, September 8, 2025:
Continuing its sustained drive against illegal mining activities, Poonch Police today carried out multiple successful operations in different areas of the district.
At river Chung near Bafliaz, a police team laid a special naka and seized one JCB machine which was found extracting sand and gravel illegally from the riverbed.
In another action, two tractor trolleys involved in illegal extraction and transportation of minor minerals were seized from the Dhundak river.
Further, during a separate raid at Draba area, one tipper was intercepted and seized for involvement in illegal mining.
District Police Poonch has reiterated its commitment to act firmly against all forms of illegal mining and appeals to the general public to desist from such unlawful activities which cause damage to the environment and invite strict legal action.
Fresh Cloud Activity May Trigger Thundershowers in Jammu Region
Jammu, Sept 8: Parts of Jammu region, including Jammu City, Samba, and Udhampur, are likely to witness thundershowers in the next three to four hours, according to weather officials. The forecast comes in the backdrop of fresh cloud formations over Sialkot and Wazirabad in Pakistan, which are now moving towards the Union Territory.
Officials cautioned that while light to moderate showers are expected, the possibility of intense rainfall or cloudbursts cannot be ruled out, particularly in vulnerable hilly and low-lying areas. Such incidents often lead to sudden rises in water levels of local streams and drains, posing risks of flash floods and waterlogging.
Authorities have advised residents to remain alert, especially in areas prone to landslides and flooding. Travelers on highways and inter-district routes have also been urged to exercise caution, as sudden downpours may disrupt vehicular movement.
The meteorological department is closely monitoring the situation and will issue further updates as required. Meanwhile, the administration is keeping emergency services on standby to respond to any untoward incident.
This weather development comes amid an already fragile situation in several parts of the region, where continuous rainfall in recent days has raised concerns about floods and infrastructure damage.