Over 3,000 Vehicles Stranded on Jammu-Srinagar Highway; Blasting Underway on Udhampur Trackk, Full Restoration Likely Today, KCC& I Seeks Contingency Plan to Address Economic Fallout from Highway Closure.”
Srinagar: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed on Friday for four consecutive day due to landslides, leaving approximately 4,000 vehicles stranded.
The highway, a crucial route for Kashmir, has faced significant damage, particularly at a critical section in Udhampur district, where reconstruction efforts are ongoing. Authorities are utilizing blasting techniques to clear large boulders, with eleven machines deployed to expedite the restoration process. While the Ramban-Banihal stretch has seen partial restoration for stranded traffic, the most severe disruption is reported between Samroli and Udhampur, where a 10-kilometer section has collapsed. Repair operations are underway, but traffic movement remains halted. Stranded drivers, some for over ten days, have expressed concerns over the lack of food and basic supplies, calling for immediate assistance.
The Mughal Road, which serves as an alternative route connecting Poonch and Rajouri with south Kashmir, has however reopened after a four-day closure. However, heavy vehicles are still restricted, with only essential supply trucks allowed to pass. The Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road remains closed due to unstable conditions. The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has raised alarms about the economic impact of the highway closure, highlighting disruptions in trade and supply chains for essential goods. The KCCI has urged the government to facilitate heavy vehicle movement via the Mughal Road and called for a long-term contingency plan to address recurring disruptions, emphasizing the need for a sustainable supply chain to mitigate future crises.
