Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Aug 16
Vehicular traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was disrupted on Sunday after a fresh landslide blocked the Srinagar-bound carriageway at Dhramthal near Samroli in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district.
A large quantity of debris fell onto the road, prompting traffic authorities to divert vehicles onto the Jammu-bound carriageway to maintain connectivity along the strategic highway.
The National Highways Authority of India, or NHAI, was alerted and its teams were mobilised to clear the debris. Officials said the substantial slide at Dhramthal could take several days to remove.
Traffic authorities created inter-lane ramps at both ends of the affected section to allow vehicles to bypass the debris and keep traffic moving while clearance and restoration work continued.
The Jammu-bound carriageway was also reduced to single-lane movement at two or three locations because of erosion caused by recent rains, requiring additional traffic regulation.
Despite the landslide, authorities said the highway remained open to regulated two-way traffic between Srinagar and Jammu on Sunday.
Hundreds of passenger vehicles, private cars, goods carriers and other vehicles travelled through the Udhampur-Banihal sector, although traffic remained slow at several vulnerable locations.
At Dewal in Udhampur district, vehicles were being regulated through an approximately 40-metre damaged, uneven and undulating single-lane section. The restricted road, combined with ongoing improvement and highway construction work, caused intermittent congestion and delays.
Traffic was also slow on the Maroog-Kishtwari Pather stretch in Ramban district, where vehicles continued to negotiate a single-lane section amid damaged road conditions and ongoing construction.
Heavy vehicles faced particular difficulty at both locations, prompting traffic personnel to regulate their movement.
Officials also reported breakdowns involving several heavy vehicles between Nashri and Banihal. Traffic teams helped regulate movement and remove disabled vehicles.
With weather conditions remaining unpredictable and further rainfall possible, authorities advised commuters to check the latest traffic situation before beginning their journeys.
Passenger and Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) operators were advised to travel between Ramban and Banihal during daylight hours and avoid unnecessary night travel because of the risk of shooting stones, landslides and other weather-related hazards.
Motorists were asked to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking, driving on the wrong side of the road or making unnecessary stops at vulnerable locations, as such behaviour could worsen congestion on already restricted sections.
Truck operators carrying fresh and perishable goods and livestock were directed to comply with prescribed loading norms.
Heavy-vehicle operators were also advised against overloading and asked to ensure vehicle fitness and carry sufficient fuel in anticipation of possible delays caused by adverse weather and road conditions.
Traffic Control Unit officials in Jammu said passenger light motor vehicles, private cars, heavy vehicles and goods carriers would continue to be allowed in both directions, subject to favourable weather and satisfactory road conditions.
Authorities cautioned that traffic movement remained conditional on road conditions, weather developments and the clearance of any new obstructions.
Travellers were advised to remain in contact with Traffic Control Units in Srinagar, Ramban and Jammu and follow official advisories before and during their journeys.
Officials urged motorists to exercise maximum caution at Dhramthal, Dewal, Maroog-Kishtwari Pather and other vulnerable sections, where traffic was being regulated through single-lane stretches to maintain safe and orderly movement along the Srinagar-Jammu corridor.
