Restoration Efforts Underway on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway After Landslides in Udhampur
In Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, officials are working hard to fix the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) after heavy rains caused landslides and shooting stones. On Tuesday, September 16, PWD Principal Secretary Anil Kumar Singh visited Thard village to check on the restoration work. This vital road connects Jammu to Srinagar and supplies essential goods to the Kashmir Valley, but it’s been disrupted for over two weeks now.
Kashmir-bound trucks face big delays as heavy vehicles can’t move freely from the Jakhani area onward. Stranded trucks pile up at various points, making travel a nightmare for drivers and locals. The highway, a lifeline for commuters and cargo, got blocked by rainfall-triggered landslides, leaving thousands of vehicles stuck in long jams.
Earlier, traffic chaos hit Thard in Udhampur district when only single-lane movement was possible. Officials say the road isn’t fully open yet—a massive 300-meter landslide forced the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to carve out a temporary path through the mountain. But this setup can’t handle heavy traffic, allowing just about 40 trucks per hour.
Udhampur Deputy SP Traffic Jatinder Singh shared with that the narrow temporary road clogs up quickly with big trucks, ambulances, and other vehicles. A simple trip from Udhampur to Thard now takes up to two hours! Despite round-the-clock efforts, around 2,000 trucks remain stranded, showing how tough it is to clear the Jammu-Srinagar NH-44 stretch.
Just a week ago, on September 9, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stopped by Thard village. He reviewed the restoration progress and got updates from NHAI Regional Officer RS Yadav on the teams and machines deployed for quick fixes. The LG also chatted with families hit by the landslides, asking about their needs and well-being.
This isn’t the first trouble for the region—heavy rains in late August sparked landslides, flash floods, and roadblocks across NH-44. It shut down access to several districts, highlighting the challenges of monsoon season in Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities promise faster restoration soon to ease the burden on travelers and supply chains. Stay tuned for updates on NH-44 traffic and Udhampur landslide news.
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