Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Apr 8:
Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained suspended for the second consecutive day on Tuesday as the work to clear the fresh landslides is going on amid heavy rains in the Ramban district, officials said.
The strategic 270-km highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was blocked by multiple landslides early Monday. Though it was reopened for a few hours on Tuesday morning, two major landslides forced its closure, they said.
According to a traffic update issued at 10 am, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) continues to remain blocked, with road clearance operations underway at Shalgarhi and Banihal.
“Road clearance is going on, but it will take some time. Moreover, there is continuous rainfall along the highway,” the advisory said.
A traffic police spokesperson said movement has been stopped in both directions — from Jammu towards
Jammu-Srinagar
Srinagar and vice versa — due to a heavy landslide between Digdol and Khooni Nallah on Tuesday. “The road is completely blocked,” he said.
Officials said more than 400 vehicles are stranded at various points along the highway
Men and machinery have been pressed into service to clear the debris, but intermittent rains are disrupting the restoration efforts.
Authorities have advised commuters not to travel on NH-44 until the road is fully restored.
“People are advised not to pay heed to rumours and check the status of roads through the traffic police’s official social media handles and traffic control units,” the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mohammad Alyas Khan on Wednesday monitored road clearance operations at Sherbibi, where a huge landslide triggered by heavy rainfall blocked NH-44. The Deputy Commissioner also visited other affected locations to assess the situation and review ongoing restoration works amid continued inclement weather.
The Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by SSP Arun Gupta, SDM Banihal Mohammad Naseeb Bajraan, Dy SP Traffic Surinder Pal Singh, Tehsildar Majid Keen, representatives of NHAI and other officers. Senior officers from the Police, Traffic Department, NHAI and Civil Administration were also present on the occasion.
Taking prompt action, the Deputy Commissioner pressed an adequate number of men and machinery from NHAI, Police, Traffic Police and other line departments into service to clear debris and remove rocks from the affected stretches. After continuous efforts and amid adverse weather conditions, traffic movement was restored at Sherbibi and other vulnerable locations on the highway.
The Deputy Commissioner emphasized the need for constant monitoring of vulnerable areas along NH-44 and instructed officials to remain on high alert in view of the prevailing weather conditions. He also appreciated the efforts of field staff and emergency response teams engaged in the restoration work.
The district administration has advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel and strictly follow traffic and weather advisories issued by the authorities. People have also been urged to cooperate with the authorities and avoid unnecessary travel on the highway.
