UDHAMPUR: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, today visited the landslide-affected stretch of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway NH-44 at Thard to take stock of the ongoing restoration works.
He was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Saloni Rai and concerned officials of the district administration, police and NHAI.
The Divisional Commissioner inspected the damaged portion of NH-44 and directed the executing agencies to mobilise additional men and machinery to complete the restoration process at the earliest.
The Divisional Commissioner reviewed in detail the clearance operations being carried out by the executing agencies on a war-footing basis.
Focus was also laid on restoration of Kanithgali-Moungari, Ramnagar-Basantgarh & Chenani Sudhmahadev roads on priority.
The Divisional Commissioner instructed the concerned agencies to ensure the speedy clearance of debris and take all possible measures to restore vehicular traffic on the critical roads.
He further directed the concerned agencies to work in double shifts so that traffic movement on NH-44 can be restored in the minimum possible time.
During his visit, the Divisional Commissioner also reviewed the situation of drinking water, power supply and availability of ration in the district.
The Div Com directed for ensuring 100% restoration of essential services, including power supply, drinking water, road connectivity and providing immediate relief to the people by alternate temporary arrangements till the services are restored completely in the affected areas.
He also directed the district administration for ensuring supply of essential commodities and provision of temporary shelter facilities to the flood-affected families, besides meticulously working on their rehabilitation.
Highlighting the critical importance of the highway, the Divisional Commissioner noted that the Udhampur stretch of NH-44 has suffered unprecedented damage. Though it was restored and opened on the 29th and 30th of August, it again suffered significant damage.
Stressing the urgent need to restore this vital lifeline connecting Jammu to Doda, Kishtwar and Srinagar, the Div Com informed that the agencies have been directed to restore the damages by tomorrow evening.
He emphasized that every possible effort shall be made to restore NH-44, other critical roads and provide necessary relief to the affected population.
