Srinagar Jammu National Highway remains closed

Ramban, Apr 22: Srinagar-Jammu National Highway Tuesday continued to remain closed for the third consecutive day as the restoration work following heavy landslides and sinking of road at various stretches, was in progress at war-footing.

Though the traffic department till late Tuesday evening did not issue fresh advisory, however, the officials stated that the National Highway-44 would continue to remain shut for vehicular traffic on April 23.

National Highway was completely shut on Sunday after multiple landslides and flash-floods triggered by incessant rains and hailstorm that lashed Ramban district during the intervening night of April 19 and 20.

The Deputy Commissioner Ramban Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary, while talking to the media, reiterated that hectic efforts were being made to restore National Highway to ease the problems of stranded passengers.

He reiterated that the people should not undertake journeys till the restoration work was completed and the surface was traffic worthy. “People are asked to follow traffic advisory and keep on checking social media handles of district administration for updates,” he said.

Earlier, the Project Director, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Parshotam Kumar had stated that the efforts were underway to clear thousands of tonnes of debris from NH 44 at more than a dozen locations across Ramban district.

He said that the full restoration of the highway could take next five to six days as heavy landslide debris needed to be removed and properly disposed of, from various points along the highway.

Meanwhile, in view of inclement weather and heavy rain causing flash floods, all government and private schools, colleges and educational institutions of district Ramban will continue to remain closed on April 23, 2025.

People have been asked to stay indoors.

In the neighbouring district, efforts were also underway to open the road connecting Padder sub division with the rest of Kishtwar by late Tuesday evening.

This road was also blocked for the past three days after landslide hit the stretch.