Normal traffic is yet to resume on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway
SAHIL BHAT
AUG 30: Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was reopened only for the stranded vehicles after remaining shut for four consecutive days owing to multiple landslides triggered by incessant rainfall that disrupted normalcy on Saturday.
“We have started clearance of stranded vehicles of predominantly HMVs from Udhampur a while ago with preference to essential supplies to Valley & Chenab Valley amid restoration at Benali Nallah for double traffic, ” Officials said.
However, normal traffic is yet to resume on the National Highway.
It is learnt that the highway was shut at several spots between Jakhaini and Chenani in Udhampur in view of which the momentum has been generated in the restoration work by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Besides, the vehiculs were not allowed to play from Nagrota towards Reasi, Chenani, Patnitop, Doda, Ramban, Banihal, and Srinagar.
“The restoration work was wrapped up at 6 PM on Friday and directions were given to allow the normal vehicular movement from Saturday. But overnight rains made us change the decision,” National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) Project Director, Ramban said.
Project Director said, “Following this, the restoration work was started immediately on a 60-meter stretch of the road between Chenani and Udhampur. With the completion of restoration work the boulder base was settled down, the stranded vehicles were allowed to ply from both ends.”
As per the officials, hundreds of vehicles – both LMVs and HMVs – were stranded on either end of the highway after the torrential rainfall of August 26 that triggered havoc in the Jammu Division leaving widespread devastation.
Furthermore, the Traffic Department has apprised the vehicles are plying on the Mughal Road that links Poonch and Rajouri districts in Jammu region with Shopian, and the Sinthan Top road that establishes connection between Kishtwar and Anantnag districts.
On Aug 29, Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh, flanked by Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Saloni Rai, visited the flood-hit areas and said that efforts are made to restore the connectivity.
