Srinagar: The Srinagar-Jammu national highway was thrown open for heavy vehicles on Wednesday after three weeks, clearing the way for hundreds of fruit-laden trucks to proceed towards their destinations across the country.
Fruit-laden trucks from Kashmir were stranded for days due to the closure of the crucial highway following heavy rains and flash floods.
The 270 km-long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH44) was reopened last week, but only for light motor vehicles.
“Our aim is to clear the maximum number of stranded vehicles which are loaded with fruits,” Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic-rural) Ravindra Singh told reporters.
He said all the stranded vehicles along the highway and those waiting at the fruit mandis will be cleared on a priority basis.
He said the drivers should follow the traffic advisory with regard to the movement of heavy vehicles and avoid overtaking along the highway.
“Traffic violations can lead to accidents which can in turn lead to road blockade,” he added.
The highway suffered heavy damages due to incessant rains and flash floods last month, leading to closure of the arterial road.
The highway was closed for heavy vehicles, giving rise to fear among fruit growers that the crop this year might not reach the terminal markets of the country.
The authorities have used Mughal Road to take out fruit from the valley but the terrain of the road is not feasible for operating heavy vehicles.
Meanwhile, amid ounting concerns over supply chain disruptions, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday once again inspected the ongoing road restoration works at the severely damaged Tharad area along the vital Jammu-Srinagar national highway.
This is his second visit to the area because of which hundreds of trucks — including those carrying Kashmiri apples to outside markets and essential supplies like fuel to the Valley – are stranded along the highway.
On Tuesday, Abdullah participated in a high-level virtual meeting chaired by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to review the status of restoration of the highway, which suffered heavy damages during record rainfall on August 26 and 27.
“During his on-spot assessment of the NH-44 restoration work, the chief minister, accompanied by Minister Javed Ahmad Rana, directed the officials concerned to expedite the process, noting that the prolonged closure is severely impacting the supply of essentials, including fresh fruit,” the chief minister’s office said in an X post.
A three-kilometre stretch between Tharad and Balli Nalla in Udhampur district was completely buried under a massive landslide during the recent rains. Several locations between Jhakani and Nashri, and Peerah and Banihal also suffered extensive damages.
During the inspection, the officials concerned briefed the chief minister about the prevailing conditions and assured that they are doing everything possible to keep the highway open in spite of frequent inclement weather.
Abdullah asked the Chief Secretary to ensure lane discipline and regulate traffic on the highway to facilitate smooth clearance.
He also met the families whose houses were damaged and assured them proper rehabilitation, an official said.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Abdullah had highlighted the difficulties faced by fruit growers and traders due to prolonged closure of the highway and urged the Union Minister for uninterrupted passage of heavy vehicles.
He said that while blacktopping and maintenance of the road is necessary, it must not come at the cost of prolonged disruption of vital traffic movement.
“Blacktopping can wait for its turn. But large vehicles, especially 4-axle and 5-axle trucks, cannot be diverted through Mughal Road. This is the only route available for them. A huge number of trucks are stranded on the Kashmir side alone, clearing this backlog is crucial,” he said at the meeting.
Abdullah said the fruit season is at its peak and delays in transportation are causing heavy losses to growers and traders.
Gadkari assured the chief minister that his concerns would be addressed, and said the backlog of trucks and other heavy vehicles would be cleared on priority before blacktopping resumes.
CS directs priority passage to fruit-laden trucks on NH-44
In view of the recent disruptions on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) caused by inclement weather, Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a high-level meeting to review restoration works, assess supply chain management, and ensure the smooth movement of essential commodities along this highway.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Public Works Department (PWD); Commissioner Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA); Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir; Secretary, Transport; IG Traffic; Deputy Commissioners; and senior representatives from the Army, Beacon, and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary sought a detailed appraisal of the current status of NH-44. The Divisional Commissioner informed him about partial restoration of traffic on a single-lane stretch that was severely damaged by flash floods, as well as the ongoing restoration work and the efforts made by them to facilitate vehicular movement through the Mughal Road as an alternative route.
Emphasizing the need to streamline traffic managementwothe Chief Secretary directed that on September 18, only Jammu-bound vehicles be allowed to ply on NH-44, ensuring clearance of all trucks stranded enroute. On the following day, traffic would be exclusively facilitated for Srinagar-bound vehicles to enable smooth movement. He further instructed that stoppages along vulnerable stretches be strictly avoided to prevent traffic jams.
The Chief Secretary underscored the importance of expediting restoration works to restore double-lane traffic at the earliest. He directed divisional administrations to closely monitor the repair works and share real-time updates with his office.
He also called for augmenting men and machinery along both NH-44 and Mughal Road, with adequate arrangements such as cranes and service providers to assist vehicles in case of emergencies.
Highlighting the critical nature of perishable goods during the harvest season, he instructed authorities to prioritise the movement of fruit-laden trucks, along with petroleum and LPG tankers, to safeguard the interests of farmers and ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential commodities in the Valley.
Reviewing the stock position, the Chief Secretary was informed by the Commissioner Secretary, FCS&CA, Saurabh Bhagat, that food grain and petroleum supplies in Kashmir were comfortable, with additional consignments being regularly transported since the partial reopening of the highway. Deputy Commissioners also apprised him of the availability of essential commodities and services in their respective districts.
The Chief Secretary reiterated that the economic interests of fruit growers and traders must be fully protected, and directed field officers to provide all necessary support for hassle-free transportation of produce.
Reiterating the urgency of restoration, the Chief Secretary impressed upon the NHAI to mobilise all available resources and ensure early completion of repair works. He emphasised that restoring NH-44 to full capacity remains the topmost priority, given its pivotal role as the lifeline connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country.
DGP, IG traffic review restoration work of Jammu-Srinagar highway
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Wednesday visited the Tharad village on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in the Udhampur district to review the ongoing restoration work, officials said.
This visit by the DGP follows a high-level meeting on Tuesday chaired by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, to review the status of the highway, which has remained closed for heavy vehicles following massive damage caused by heavy rains and flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir last month.
Accompanied by Inspector General (IG) of Traffic Police Suleman Choudhary, the DGP visited the Tharad stretch of the highway and reviewed the situation and vehicular movement, they said.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has also faced backlash from various quarters for failing to widen and level a 300-metre stretch constructed at Tharad in the Udhampur district after the existing highway was buried under debris.
According to officials, the poor condition of this stretch is causing significant hindrance to the smooth movement of traffic along the highway. (PTI)
