Jammu: Efforts are underway to restore traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway by Saturday morning after the vital road link remained shut for the fourth consecutive day due to multiple landslides and road damage triggered by heavy rains.
Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar on Friday visited the worst-hit Thard stretch in Udhampur district to review ongoing restoration works. Accompanied by senior officials, he was briefed by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) engineers about the challenges in repairing the damaged portions.
A massive hill movement at Thard has destroyed nearly 200 metres of the highway, while several other stretches in Ramban-Banihal and Udhampur sectors have been washed away. “We are trying to reopen the highway by tomorrow morning so that essential supplies are facilitated to the valley. Efforts are on,” Kumar told reporters, adding that improved weather has allowed the work to pick up pace.
Debris clearance and blasting of large boulders are being carried out on a war footing, with NHAI deploying additional manpower and machinery. The worst-hit spots include Shalgadi, Nachilana, Panthyal, Maroog and Peerah, where a landslide has even entered one tube of the Peerah tunnel. In Udhampur, nearly 10 km of road between Jakhani, Thard, Bali Nallah and Dewal has been severely affected.
Officials said over 3,700 vehicles remain stranded at multiple locations across Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Ramban and the Kashmir Valley. Once the road is reopened, priority will be given to clearing stranded traffic, especially trucks carrying essential supplies.
The 270-km highway, considered the lifeline of Kashmir, has remained closed since Tuesday, cutting off the valley from its main supply route. Authorities expressed confidence that partial restoration will be possible by Saturday morning, subject to weather stability.
