After a day’s reopening following a blockade, a huge landslide hit Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district, once again halting traffic on the vital Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. The landslide occurred between Digdol and Khooni Nallah, completely blocking the highway and stopping all vehicular movement. Authorities have suspended traffic as a safety precaution due to the debris and boulders obstructing the road.
Restoration work is set to begin soon, pending favorable weather conditions, to clear the highway for travel. The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, spanning nearly 300 kilometers, is crucial for supplying essentials to the Valley, including LPG, petrol, diesel, and food items. Despite the operational rail link, the highway remains vital for transporting goods, especially during peak seasons.
The highway’s significance is underscored by the need for cargo trains to transport essential goods and agricultural produce to national markets. Extensive infrastructure improvements have reduced travel time between Srinagar and Jammu to 5 hours, enhancing connectivity. However, the highway’s vulnerability to weather conditions, particularly in the Ramsoo to Ramban town stretch, poses challenges due to frequent landslides and stone shooting incidents.
