Jammu-Srinagar National Highway Updates: 700 Vehicles Stranded; Check Routes To Avoid

The Jammu-Srinagar national highway (NH-44) remains closed for the second consecutive day on Friday due to landslides at various places.

The 270 km road was closed yesterday following landslips at Kishtwari Pather, Sherbibi, Magerkote, Mehad Cafeteria and Dalwas.

Around 700 vehicles are stranded in Ramban, Banihal, Nashri, Chenani, Kud and Udhampur areas of the highway.

Authorities are trying to clear the debris from the road to restore traffic that connects Kashmir to the rest of the country.

However, intermittent snowfall, rainfall, mudslides and shooting stones at many places along the NH between Ramsoo and Banihal impeded the restoration work.

The Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police informs through a microblogging site X, formerly known as Twitter that Kishtwari Pather, Sherbibi Magerkote, Mehad-Cafetria and Dalwas roads are slippery. The advisory also asked people to ask TCU (Telematic Control Unit) before starting the journey. The numbers for the same are as follows:

• For Jammu - 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732
• For Srinagar- 0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091, 103
• For Ramban- 9419993745, 1800-180-7043
• For Udhampur- 8491928625

In addition to this, the HMV operators/Owners are advised to desist from overloading and carry sufficient fuel during the journey on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

The vehicle owners are requested to double-check the fitness of their vehicles and carry sufficient fuel before undertaking the journey on the NH-44.

Commuters are advised to avoid the highway till the weather conditions improve and the road gets clear. The advisory further informed that the Mughal road that connects south Kashmir's Shopian to Jammu's Rajouri & Poonch is also closed due to the accumulation of snow.

Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Dr Devansh Yadav suggested residents avoid unnecessary travelling, particularly on Kishtwar-Chatroo-Sinthan-Anantnag and Kishtwar-Paddar roads.