Jammu, Sep 8:
The restoration work on a crucial 250-meter stretch of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway has entered its final stage, officials said on Monday. The highway, which serves as the only all-weather road connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India, has been blocked for nearly two weeks due to landslides, flash floods, and torrential rain.
Highway Closed Since August 26
The arterial 270-km highway was first shut on August 26, and despite a brief reopening on August 30, it remained largely inaccessible. With 13 days of disruption, this closure has severely impacted transport, pilgrimage, and goods movement in the region.
A National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) official confirmed that work on the washed-out Thard stretch in Udhampur is nearing completion.
“The Thard stretch is quite difficult as the highway had to be rebuilt here,” the official said.
Final Obstructions Being Cleared
Restoration teams have managed to blast and remove six large rocks, which were blocking the route. Three additional rocks have also been excavated to facilitate the clearance process.
“This has been a considerable challenge. However, the road is beginning to clear, and we expect the highway to reopen by Monday night,” officials said.
Despite intermittent rainfall on Sunday slowing down operations, most of the landslides and debris in the Ramban and Udhampur areas have been cleared—except the severely affected Thard zone, which remains buried under a hill.
Traffic Still Suspended, Mughal Road Operational
According to a traffic police advisory, the highway remains closed from Jakheni (Udhampur) to Srinagar due to ongoing blockages between Jakheni and Bali Nallah.
“No vehicular movement shall be allowed from Nagrota (Jammu) towards Reasi, Chenani, Patnitop, Doda, Ramban, Banihal, Srinagar, and vice versa,” the advisory stated.
In contrast, the Mughal Road—which connects Poonch in Jammu with Shopian in Kashmir—is open and witnessing smooth vehicular movement.
Thousands of Vehicles Stranded
The prolonged closure has left over 4,000 vehicles stranded across various locations, including Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Ramban, and even in Punjab and the Kashmir Valley.
Many inter-district roads, including the Katra-Reasi road, also remain closed due to landslide damage.
Authorities have advised commuters heading to Katra and Udhampur to carry valid photo ID cards to ensure smoother movement during the ongoing restoration phase.
Pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi Still Suspended
Meanwhile, the pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, located atop Trikuta Hills, remains suspended for the 14th consecutive day due to road disruptions and safety concerns.
The Army and local residents have stepped in to assist stranded passengers, especially truck drivers, by distributing food and essentials at multiple locations.
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