NH Between Jammu and Srinagar Partially Reopens After 8 Days of Closure
LMVs allowed on highway after 8-day closure, heavy vehicles remain suspended as debris clearance continues.
Srinagar, Sep 10: After more than a week of complete disruption, the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, the lifeline that connects the Valley with the rest of the country, was partially reopened to vehicular traffic on Wednesday. The highway had remained closed following massive landslides at Thard in Udhampur district, triggered by continuous heavy rainfall and unstable slopes.
Officials confirmed that light motor vehicles (LMVs) were allowed to ply from 9:20 AM onwards, providing much-needed respite to scores of commuters and travelers stranded along various points of the route. This limited restoration has come as a relief to families separated by the closure, as well as to businesses dependent on the flow of goods between Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the authorities clarified that heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) will not be permitted until further notice, as restoration work on the damaged stretch is still underway. Engineers and workers of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), along with local administration teams, are engaged in round-the-clock efforts to remove the debris and stabilize the hillside to prevent further slides.
The prolonged closure had severely impacted the movement of essential commodities, including perishable goods, medicines, and fuel supplies, leading to mounting concerns in Kashmir. The partial resumption of traffic has eased some of the pressure, though officials reiterated that complete normalcy will only return once the stretch is fully secure for heavy vehicles.
Restoration teams are said to be working on a “war footing,” with excavators, loaders, and other heavy machinery pressed into service. Authorities emphasized that safety will remain the primary consideration before allowing the resumption of full traffic flow, urging commuters to follow advisories and cooperate with officials managing the highway.
The reopening, though partial, has been welcomed as a positive step toward restoring vital connectivity. For many in the region, it is also a reminder of the recurring challenges posed by the fragile Himalayan terrain, where landslides remain a constant threat to infrastructure and mobility.
