Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Joins Key Meeting on NH-44 Road Issues
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah jumped into action on Tuesday, joining a video conference with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to tackle the ongoing problems with National Highway 44 (NH-44). This vital road links Jammu and Srinagar, and it’s been causing headaches for everyone due to recent landslides.
The meeting included officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH), the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), and J-K government reps. They dove deep into the highway’s condition, which has disrupted life in the Kashmir Valley for over two weeks.
In a quick post on X (formerly Twitter), Omar Abdullah shared the details: "Attended a video conference with @nitin_gadkari ji. Officials of @MORTHIndia & @nhidcl were present along with officials of the J&K government. The condition of NH 44 was discussed in considerable detail. The Union Minister issued some instructions that are aimed at addressing the current crisis and we expect to see those implemented immediately so that regular movement of trucks is no longer hindered."
Heavy rains have triggered landslides and shooting stones, blocking the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) and stranding Kashmir-bound trucks at spots like Udhampur. This key supply route carries essential goods to the Valley, so the delays hit hard for locals and travelers alike.
Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir PWD Principal Secretary Anil Kumar Singh visited Thard village in Udhampur district. He checked on the restoration efforts after the highway got damaged by landslides. Right now, heavy vehicles face restrictions from the Jakhani area onward, leaving trucks stuck and causing long traffic jams.
Things got even tougher with single-lane traffic at Thard, where only one side opened up after the blockages. Thousands of vehicles, including trucks and cars, waited in massive queues, slowing everything down.
This isn’t the first hiccup. Back on September 9, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha headed to Thard to review the work. NHAI Regional Officer RS Yadav updated him on the teams and machines clearing the debris for a quick fix. The LG also chatted with affected families, asking about their needs and well-being.
The trouble started with heavy rainfall in late August, sparking landslides, flash floods, and road closures across NH-44. It cut off several districts, making restoration a top priority for smooth Jammu-Srinagar highway travel.
With these urgent steps, officials hope to get NH-44 back to normal soon, easing the strain on daily life and supplies in Jammu and Kashmir.
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