Baramulla: A massive landslide struck, blocking Baramulla-Uri National Highway (NH-1) during ongoing widening and reconstruction work and bringing vehicular traffic to a complete halt, triggering panic among commuters and local residents on Friday.
The landslide occurred around noon after ongoing road-widening work loosened the rocky mountain, rendering it unstable. A large volume of rocks, soil and debris plants suddenly slid onto the highway, blocking it completely. Dozens of vehicles and passengers had a narrow escape as they ran for safety.
The land forced authorities to immediately suspend traffic movement on the highway as a precautionary measure. No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.
A local youth leader, Faraz Ashraf, said, “Road widening on the Baramulla–Uri highway is being executed with complete disregard for ecological and geological realities. Unscientific mountain cutting without proper studies has already led to repeated landslides”
“Development cannot and must not come at the cost of environmental damage and irreversible consequences. This reckless approach is putting lives, property, and the future of the region at serious risk. The government must immediately step in, stop this unplanned excavation, and ensure scientific, environmentally responsible planning before disaster strikes,” he added.
A video of a massive landslide that went viral on social media captured dramatic scenes of people running for safety as huge boulders and debris crashed down the hillside, raising massive clouds of dust. Several vehicles were seen stranded on both sides of the affected stretch, heightening fear among travellers at the time of the incident.
“There was sudden panic when rocks started falling. People ran for cover and vehicles came to a halt instantly. It was a frightening experience,” said Sajad Ahmad Lone, a local trade union leader.
“We were stuck on the highway for hours with no movement. This road is a lifeline for north Kashmir, and even a short disruption causes huge inconvenience,” said Sheikh Imran, who left his car halfway to attend a meeting at Srinagar.
Officials said the situation continues to remain risky, posing a serious threat to road-clearing and rescue teams. Debris removal operations have been slowed intermittently as the slope is yet to stabilise, and working conditions remain unsafe. Authorities said clearance work can resume fully only after safety assessments confirm that the area is secure.
Soon after the incident, concerned departments pressed men and heavy machinery into service to restore connectivity. Road clearance teams were seen working continuously to remove mud, stones and fallen material from the carriageway, while traffic police diverted vehicles to prevent congestion and ensure public safety.
“We are relieved that no one was injured, but this could have turned into a major tragedy. Authorities must focus on long-term safety measures, not just temporary clearance,” said Ashiq Hussain.
The Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri National Highway is a vital arterial road linking north Kashmir with Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Any disruption on this route directly impacts daily commuters, transporters and the supply of essential commodities across the region.
Site In charge Er. Sagar Farooq said that we had halted traffic as we noticed small shooting stones coming down; fortunately, there was no loss of life or damage to any vehicle.
“Traffic on onside has been rerouted on the higway and traffic from Baramulla has been diverted via Khadniyar to Uri. By tomorrow, both sides’ traffic would be restored,” he added.
Locals expressed concern over repeated landslides along the stretch and urged authorities to ensure that the ongoing highway widening and upgradation project also prioritises slope stabilisation and long-term safety measures. They stressed the need for developing alternative routes and adopting preventive engineering solutions to avoid frequent blockades and ensure uninterrupted movement in the future.
