Atul Sharma
Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 7: The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), the Valley’s only all-weather road, remained closed for the seventh consecutive day on Saturday due to multiple landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall, leaving over 2,000 vehicles stranded and causing acute shortages of essential commodities in several districts.
Officials said the highway is blocked at several points between Jakhaini and Chenani in Udhampur district. Restoration work by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is underway, but no vehicular movement is being allowed from Nagrota towards Reasi, Chenani, Patnitop, Doda, Ramban, Banihal, and Srinagar.
Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Saloni Rai, who inspected the affected areas along with SP Sandeep Bhat, said efforts are being made to restore partial connectivity by Sunday evening.
With NH-44 out of service, the historic Mughal Road has emerged as the only viable alternative, linking Jammu’s Rajouri and Poonch districts with Shopian in the Valley. The Kishtwar–Sinthan–Anantnag route has also been opened for light motor vehicles, though several inter-district roads in the Jammu region remain cut off, leaving dozens of villages isolated.
At a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg informed that essential supplies, including fuel, LPG, vegetables, and fruit consignments, are being routed via Mughal Road, which has effectively become the Valley’s lifeline. Fruit-laden trucks are being cleared in a phased manner.
Last Sunday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the damaged stretches of NH-44 at Marog and Balli Nullah in Ramban district.
“Inspection is being carried out. Highways have been damaged. I have spoken to NHAI and district administrations. They say it will take 20–25 days for restoration; however, alternate routes are available,” Omar said after the visit.
The 250-km-long Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, widely regarded as the lifeline of Kashmir, has suffered extensive damage, with authorities warning that complete restoration may take several months. While partial traffic movement is expected to resume soon, the reconstruction of the critical Tharad Bridge in Udhampur district could take at least six months, officials said.
Reports confirmed that Udhampur district received torrential rainfall on August 26, severely damaging a 20-km stretch of the highway between Udhampur and Chenani. The worst-affected areas include a 10-km patch between Bani Nullah and Samroli, the Tharad Bridge, Balli Nullah, and both carriageways at Samroli.
As restoration work continues, the administration has appealed to the public to remain patient, assuring that all possible measures are being taken to ensure the uninterrupted supply of essentials to the Kashmir Valley. |
