Traffic on the strategic Srinagar-Jammu national highway has been shut down for the second consecutive day after a fresh landslide occurred in the Banihal sector of Ramban district. The closure is due to road blockages at Shalgarhi, Banihal, with ongoing clearance efforts expected to take some time. Continuous rainfall in the area has prompted officials to advise against travel on NH-44 until the road is fully operational.
The highway, a crucial supply route for the landlocked Valley, was briefly reopened but had to be closed again following additional landslides and shooting stones. Efforts to clear the debris at Karol Bridge and Chanderkote were disrupted by a new landslide in the Banihal sector, compounded by heavy rain along the highway in the Jammu division.
This 300 km-long lifeline facilitates the transportation of essential goods like LPG, petrol, diesel, kerosene, mutton, poultry products, and vegetables into the Valley. Despite improvements in travel time between Srinagar and Jammu, the highway’s vulnerability to weather conditions, particularly in the Ramsoo to Ramban town stretch, poses challenges. The region is prone to shooting stones and landslides triggered by rain, often leading to prolonged road closures for restoration work.
