Rains continue to hamper restoration of Jammu-Srinagar highway

Jammu, Sep 7: Heavy rainfall is once again delaying the reopening of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, which has been closed for six consecutive days today.

Officials from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) are working to clear a 250-meter stretch at Thard in Udhampur district, but the ongoing downpour is hindering their efforts.

​NHAI Project Manager, Shubam Yadav, reported that while they have used explosives to blast giant boulders, the work is progressing slowly due to the rain. This section of the highway, a critical link connecting Kashmir to the rest of India, has been buried under a moving hillside since September 2.

The prolonged closure has left hundreds of trucks, many carrying essential goods and produce, stranded on both sides of the road.

The meteorological department predicts more light to moderate rain for the region over the next two days.

Meanwhile, the pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Trikuta hills of Reasi district remains suspended for the 13th day following a landslide on August 26 at Adhkuwari that tragically killed 34 people and injured 20.

​The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has successfully restored connectivity on the Basohli-Bani road in Kathua district. A portion of the road was washed out, but the BRO’s 69 Road Construction Company created a new bypass to reconnect the area. This has reestablished a vital link from Basohli to Bhaderwah in Doda district.