Commuters advised to avoid travel
Udhampur, Jul 30: The administration has ordered a complete suspension of traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on July 31 to facilitate slope stabilisation and restoration works on the vulnerable Udhampur–Chenani stretch near Ladha, Samroli.
The order, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), was issued by the Additional District Magistrate, Udhampur, following a request from the Project Director, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), PIU Ramban.
The NHAI reported that continuous rainfall since July 18 has triggered repeated landslides, mudslides and falling debris along the affected hillside, posing a serious threat to commuters and restoration workers.
According to the order, although two-way traffic has been restored after widening the valley-side carriageway, permanent slope stabilisation and widening of the hill-side carriageway require the deployment of heavy machinery to remove overhanging debris, which cannot be carried out safely under live traffic conditions.
Invoking powers under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the district administration directed that vehicular movement on NH-44 shall remain completely suspended on July 31, 2026, to enable the NHAI to undertake intensive debris clearance, slope stabilisation and other restoration works for the safe and early reopening of the highway.
The administration has directed the Senior Superintendents of Police of Udhampur and Ramban, the Superintendent of Police (Traffic), NHW Ramban, and other field agencies to ensure proper traffic regulation, diversion arrangements and strict enforcement of the order.
The NHAI has also been asked to deploy adequate manpower, machinery and equipment, maintain close coordination with the district administration, police and traffic authorities, install warning signs and barricades at vulnerable locations, and keep emergency response teams, ambulances and disaster management resources on standby throughout the operation.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic NHW), Raja Aadil Hamid, said the highway has suffered extensive damage at several locations due to heavy rains.
“Although repair work has been carried out at some places, complete restoration is still pending,” he said.
He urged the public and tourists planning to visit Kashmir not to travel on July 31 to avoid inconvenience.
Meanwhile, the Traffic Police said the movement of all kinds of vehicles shall remain suspended between Jakheni (Udhampur) and the Navyug Tunnel (Banihal) to facilitate restoration works along the affected stretch.
Consequently, no vehicle shall be allowed to proceed beyond Nagrota (Jammu) towards Srinagar, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Patnitop, or beyond Qazigund towards Ramban, Udhampur and Jammu after 10:00 pm on Thursday (July 30), the Traffic Police said, adding that a detailed traffic advisory will be issued separately. (KNO)
