Jammu, Sep 17: Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Wednesday visited Tharad village in Udhampur district to review the ongoing restoration work on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, officials said.
The visit came a day after Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari chaired a high-level meeting to assess the status of the highway, which has been closed to heavy vehicles following extensive damage caused by heavy rains and flash floods last month.
Accompanied by Inspector General (IG) of Traffic Police Suleman Choudhary, the DGP inspected the Tharad stretch and reviewed the traffic movement as well as the progress of repair work, officials added.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has drawn criticism for failing to widen and level a newly built 300-metre stretch at Tharad, constructed after the existing portion of the highway was buried under debris. According to officials, the poorly maintained section is creating serious bottlenecks, disrupting the smooth flow of traffic on the vital road link.
The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway serves as a crucial lifeline, connecting Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country. Its prolonged disruption has raised concerns for commuters, traders, and transporters dependent on the route for essential supplies and movement.