Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) was partially restored on Saturday, allowing passenger vehicle movement after being closed for two days due to multiple landslides and mudslides in Ramban district, officials confirmed. Over 2,000 heavy vehicles remain stranded, awaiting clearance after passenger traffic stabilizes.
Highway Restoration Efforts Underway
SSP (NH Traffic) Rohit Baskotra stated that intensive restoration work was being carried out at critical points, including Mehar, Dalwas, Peerah, T2 tunnel, Kishtwar Pathar, and Mom Passing. “There are 10 major landslides, and heavy machinery has been deployed to clear the debris,” he said.
Traffic authorities have advised commuters to follow lane discipline and avoid unnecessary stopovers between Ramban and Banihal due to the risk of landslides and falling stones. Heavy motor vehicles will be allowed later based on the road’s condition.
Ramban district commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary, along with SSP Ramban Kulbir Singh and SSP (Traffic) Rohit Baskotra, personally inspected the highway’s restoration work and issued directives to expedite clearance efforts.
Other Affected Routes and Weather-Related Incidents
Apart from NH-44, the Kishtwar-Padder road has been completely blocked due to a massive landslide since Friday. Kishtwar district commissioner Rajesh Kumar Shavan estimated that it would take three to four days to clear the debris. Additionally, an avalanche was reported in Garh area, though no casualties or property damage were reported.
In Poonch district, the police recovered the body of a woman from the Suran River. She was among three individuals who had gone missing after a vehicle skidded off the road and fell into the river near Kalai Bridge on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Shaheena Akhter, a resident of Manjakote. Earlier, a man, along with two family members, including a two-day-old infant, was also swept away in the incident.
Helicopter Services to Vaishno Devi Shrine Resume
Meanwhile, helicopter services to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, which were suspended on Thursday due to inclement weather, resumed on Saturday following an improvement in conditions.
Sources By Agencies
