Srinagar, Feb 23 (KNS): After enduring a four-day closure prompted by a series of landslides triggered by heavy rains and snowfall, the Srinagar-Jammu national highway was finally reopened for traffic on Friday.

Efforts by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) National Highway Ramban, and the diligent work of traffic police have been instrumental in restoring the crucial roadway.

A spokesperson from the traffic department told news agency KNS that the traffic movement resumed along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, although slow-paced in the Ramsoo sector due to single-lane conditions and poor road surfaces.

 

Authorities, in collaboration with traffic police, spared no effort in the mission to reopen the national highway.

Early Friday morning, Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) were permitted from both directions, with heavy vehicles regulated to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.

Significant damage to the road, resulting in single-lane stretches, was observed at Dalwas, Cafeteria-Mehad, and Gangroo between Nashri and Banihal tunnels.

The decision to reopen the highway came after the successful clearance of all stranded vehicles late Thursday.

The closure, which commenced on Monday, was necessitated by a series of landslides, mudslides, and rockfalls from the surrounding hills, obstructing the road at multiple points.

Wednesday saw improving weather conditions, enabling the mobilization of additional manpower and machinery by concerned agencies.

This facilitated the partial reopening of the road for stranded vehicles. However, a substantial landslide at Kishtwari Pather required further clearance efforts before the highway was fully accessible to traffic on Thursday afternoon.

Earlier, the Jammu National Highway (NH 44) was partially restored for stranded traffic after NHAI prepared a single road stretch at various locations between Nashri and Banihal in Ramban district on Thursday afternoon.

Despite intermittent closures due to fresh landslides, efforts to clear the route continued, with around one dozen machines deployed at critical points.

Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police National Highway Ramban, Rohit Baskotra, personally supervised the restoration operations, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

 

The extensive damages suffered by National Highway 44, passing through the Ramban district, were attributed to heavy rains, leading to landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones between Nashri and Banihal on Monday and Tuesday.

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway serves as the vital lifeline of the Kashmir valley, representing the primary road link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the nation.

This crucial artery facilitates the transportation of essential supplies and commodities, playing a pivotal role in sustaining the region's economy and ensuring the well-being of its inhabitants.

The highway serves as the primary conduit for Kashmir-bound trucks laden with vital provisions and goods, ensuring the continuous flow of essential supplies into the valley.

Moreover, it also acts as the primary route for fruit-carrying trucks originating from Kashmir, destined for various parts of the country.

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway not only serves as a vital transportation route but also represents a lifeline for the Kashmir valley, connecting it with the broader national network and enabling the seamless exchange of goods and commerce essential for its sustenance and growth.(KNS)