Landslide blocks Jammu-Srinagar highway in Ramban
Banihal, April 4
A section of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was blocked on Saturday following a landslide in the Banihal area of Ramban district.
Further details are awaited.
Speaking on the situation, DSP Traffic Banihal, Surinder Pal Singh, appealed to the public to remain cautious while travelling.
"The appeal to the people is to drive after checking the traffic advisory. People are advised to step out of their homes only after checking the weather," he said.
He added that manpower and machinery have been deployed at the site, and efforts are underway to clear the debris and restore traffic movement as soon as possible.
Earlier, on March 27, Vehicular traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH44) was disrupted in Ramban on Thursday since the afternoon following the rolling down of big boulders on the down-tube (road) beside the bank of Chenab at Karol between Chanderkot Masjid and Jaiswal bridge.
According to the SSP, Traffic, NHW, Raja Adil Hamid Ganai, the up-tube (road) on the hillside has been blocked since last night due to a landslide, after which the one-way traffic was diverted from the down-tube.
But after the rolling down of boulders on the down tube this afternoon, the traffic was completely stopped.
The blockage of traffic has caused huge traffic snarls on both ends of the blocked site and thus much inconvenience to the commuters and passengers.
SSP, Raja Adil Hamid Ganai, said that the heavy machines are being used by the NHAI to break and remove the boulders from the down tube and the landslide debris from the up tube, which could take a few more hours to completely restore the traffic on the NH44.
— ANI
Reader Comments
My brother is stuck on that highway since morning. He says the traffic jam is for kilometers. Hope the NHAI machines work fast. Stay safe everyone travelling! 🤞
Respectfully, while the DSP's advisory is correct, it's not very practical. People have essential travel - for work, medical emergencies, etc. The focus should be on making the highway more resilient. This happens every other week in Ramban.
Travelled this route last month. The scenery is breathtaking but the road conditions are genuinely scary. Hats off to the workers and machinery operators clearing this in such difficult terrain. Hope they stay safe.
This is why the new tunnel projects are so crucial. The Banihal-Qazigund tunnel has been a lifesaver, but more such infrastructure is needed. The old highway is a geographical challenge.
Feel so bad for the truck drivers and passengers stranded. Must be so stressful. Authorities should arrange for basic amenities like water and toilets at the blockade points. It's the least we can do.
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