Jammu, September 17, 2025 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday conducted an on-site inspection of the ongoing road restoration works at the severely damaged Tharad area along the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44). His visit comes amid growing concerns over the disruption in supply chains, as hundreds of trucks carrying essential goods—including Kashmiri apples and fuel supplies—remain stranded.
This marks his second visit to the area in recent days, highlighting the urgency of restoring this critical link. On Tuesday, Abdullah participated in a high-level virtual meeting chaired by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, focusing on the restoration status of NH-44, which suffered extensive damage due to record rainfall on August 26 and 27.
During the inspection, accompanied by Minister Javed Ahmad Rana, the Chief Minister directed officials to expedite repair work, emphasizing that the prolonged highway closure is severely impacting the supply of essentials and agricultural produce, especially fresh fruits.
The most affected section is a three-kilometre stretch between Tharad and Balli Nalla in Udhampur district, buried under a massive landslide. Other critical stretches between Jhakani and Nashri, and Peerah and Banihal also suffered major damages.
Officials briefed the Chief Minister on the current situation, assuring that all efforts are underway to keep the highway operational despite frequent adverse weather conditions. Abdullah instructed the Chief Secretary to enforce lane discipline and regulate traffic to enable the smooth movement of vehicles.
He also visited families whose homes were damaged in the calamity, assuring them of proper rehabilitation measures.
At the virtual meeting, the Chief Minister stressed the hardships faced by fruit growers and traders due to the prolonged closure, underlining the urgency of clearing the backlog of stranded vehicles. He argued that while blacktopping and road maintenance are important, they should not hinder the movement of heavy vehicles—especially 4-axle and 5-axle trucks—which cannot be diverted via the Mughal Road.
“Blacktopping can wait, but these trucks must move. The Kashmir route is the only viable option for them. Clearing this backlog is crucial, especially during the peak fruit season, when delays are causing heavy losses,” Abdullah said.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari assured that the backlog of trucks and other heavy vehicles would be prioritized, with blacktopping resuming only after clearing essential traffic.
This initiative highlights the administration’s focus on restoring vital infrastructure to support economic activity and ensure the uninterrupted supply of goods to and from the region.
