Kashmir Impulse Desk
Ramban, Aug 9
The Doda-Kishtwar section of National Highway-244 remained closed at Kandni on Sunday after heavy rainfall caused road slippage and washed away part of the highway, with authorities restricting traffic to allow restoration and controlled blasting.
The District Magistrate of Kishtwar ordered restrictions on the movement of both heavy vehicles and light motor vehicles at Kandni, around kilometre 87.9, until further orders.
The restrictions were imposed on safety grounds and to allow restoration work to be carried out safely and without interruption.
Separately, all vehicular movement on the affected stretch, including heavy and light vehicles, was suspended between 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday because of a scheduled controlled blasting operation.
The administration acted after receiving a communication from the General Manager (Projects) of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd’s Kishtwar project management unit regarding the road slippage and ongoing restoration work.
Heavy rainfall last week damaged the highway, disrupting an important road link between Doda and Kishtwar.
NHIDCL was directed to implement all necessary safety measures during restoration and blasting operations. The agency must inform the district administration once the work is completed and certify that the affected section is safe before normal traffic is restored.
The Senior Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Doda-Kishtwar, Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Kishtwar, and District Traffic Inspector, Kishtwar, were directed to ensure strict compliance with the restrictions.
Authorities said the measures were precautionary and intended to prevent accidents while restoration and blasting work continued.
Commuters and transporters were advised to avoid the affected section and follow directions issued by traffic and district authorities.
Traffic officials overseeing the restoration said some passenger vehicles were allowed to cross the damaged stretch later on Sunday evening.
