Srinagar–Jammu National Highway reopens partially

Ramban, Jan 25: The Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH-44), the only all-weather road link connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, was partially restored on Sunday after remaining closed for two consecutive days due to heavy snowfall and adverse weather conditions, officials said.

The highway was closed on Friday morning following heavy accumulation of snow and slippery road conditions at multiple locations, particularly between the Ramban and Banihal sectors. Officials said snowfall between the Qazigund and Digdol stretches, snowfall and landslide-prone areas near Nashri in Batote, and continuous rainfall along other portions of the highway led to the complete suspension of traffic.

After an improvement in weather conditions on Saturday, road maintenance agencies of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched snow clearance operations on a war footing. Men and machinery were deployed simultaneously at several vulnerable locations, including Nashri, Digdol, Panthyal, Magarkote, Hingni, Nachlana, Sherbibi, Banihal, and on both sides of the Banihal–Qazigund tunnel.

On Saturday, Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mohammad Alyas Khan, along with Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police (National Highway) Raja Adil Hamid and Project Director NHAI PIU Ramban Shubham Yadoo, monitored the snow clearance and restoration work between Nashri and Banihal to ensure early reopening of the crucial road link.

Officials said that although snow had been cleared from most stretches of the highway, frost formation and slippery road conditions continued to hamper smooth movement of traffic between Magarkote and the Banihal–Qazigund tunnel.

Traffic officials deployed in Ramban district said that despite slow movement, hundreds of stranded light, medium, and heavy vehicles crossed the Chenani–Nashri and Banihal–Qazigund tunnels till Sunday evening.

On Sunday morning, following partial clearance of critical stretches, stranded vehicles between the Chenani–Nashri and Banihal–Qazigund tunnel sections were allowed to move towards their respective destinations under on priority later stranded vehicles in Udhampur and Qazigund were also permitted to move towards their respective destinations.

To improve road conditions and prevent skidding, salt and urea were sprinkled on slippery stretches between Magarkote and Banihal.

Traffic authorities said the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway has been partially restored, and clearance of stranded vehicles between the two capital cities is currently underway. Commuters have been advised to check the latest road status through the official Facebook page, Twitter handle and Traffic Control Units in Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur and Ramban before planning any journey on Monday.