Vehicular traffic on the strategic Srinagar-Jammu National Highway has been restored following a three-day blockage. Landslides in Ramban district had caused the closure, with over 900 vehicles cleared by traffic police after addressing the landslides at various locations. Despite infrastructure improvements, the highway remains vulnerable to inclement weather, impacting travel time and essential supplies to the Valley.
The 300-km-long highway faced blockages due to multiple landslides earlier in the week, leading to intermittent closures. Although efforts have reduced travel time between Srinagar and Jammu, the highway’s susceptibility to bad weather persists. Inclement weather in specific stretches triggers landslides, necessitating road closures for safety reasons.
Essential supplies, including fuel, food products, and vegetables, are primarily transported to the Valley via this highway. Despite the operational rail link between Jammu and the Valley, the highway’s reliability on weather conditions poses economic challenges for Kashmir. The regular operation of cargo trains carrying essential goods is crucial to mitigate the impact of weather-related disruptions on the region’s economy.
