Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, Feb 07 (KNS): Following a 24-hour suspension to facilitate repair work necessitated by severe damage from snowfall and heavy rains, traffic resumed on the Jammu and Kashmir National Highway on Wednesday.
News agency KNS reported that the restoration brought relief to commuters as over 300 stranded vehicles were cleared from the roadway.
The repairs became necessary after last Thursday's adverse weather conditions wreaked havoc on the arterial road between Nashri and Banihal. Landslides triggered by the heavy rainfall reduced several sections of the 270-kilometer highway to a single lane, posing significant challenges to vehicular movement.
In response to the situation, multiple agencies mobilized several earth movers to key locations along the impacted sections, such as Kishtwari Pather, Sher Bibi, Nachlana, Hingni, Shalgadi, Mehar, Cafeteria Morh, and Dalwas. The objective was to remove debris and restore the highway to its operational condition.
The Kashmir Highway holds vital significance as the primary all-weather route linking Kashmir with the rest of the nation, serving as a lifeline for the region's connectivity.
Nonetheless, recent adverse weather conditions severely hampered its functionality, leading to transportation disruptions lasting over a week.
Officials announced the restoration of traffic on Wednesday morning after a day-long suspension to facilitate repair work in Ramban district.
Despite the reopening, traffic remains slow-moving in certain areas, particularly at Dalwas and the T2 tunnel, prompting authorities to urge commuters to adhere to lane discipline to prevent congestion.
The reopening of the Kashmir Highway brings much-needed relief to travelers and restores crucial connectivity for the region.
It is worth mentioning here that the vehicular traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway faced a 24-hour suspension on Tuesday to facilitate the widening of single-lane road stretches between the Chenani-Nashri and Banihal-Qazigund tunnels.
Following recommendations from authorities, the traffic halt was implemented from 8 am on Tuesday until 8 am on Wednesday to allow for the expansion of the road at Dalwass and Kishtwari-Pather-Sherbibi, situated between the aforementioned tunnels.
The decision was made after the District Magistrate of Ramban received a communication from the Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in Ramban, urging a pause in traffic for the widening work at Kishtwari Pathar and Dalwass on NH-44.
According to an official order, issued in response to the NHAI's request for traffic suspension, the aim was to ensure the safety and well-being of the general populace, travelers, and drivers. The order, based on the recommendation of the Project Director NHAI, PIU Ramban, sanctioned a 24-hour halt in traffic beginning at 8 am on Tuesday until 8 am on Wednesday.
In strict adherence to the directives outlined in the NHAI's communication, the Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police, National Highway Ramban, was tasked with enforcing the orders effectively.
Official sources highlighted the significant damages sustained by the National Highway at various points, including Kishtwari-Pather, Sherbibi, Mehar-Cafeteria, and Dalwass, as a result of recent snowfall and rain. (KNS)