Jammu, September 5, 2025 : The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the vital 270-km road link between the Valley and the rest of the country, remained closed for the fourth consecutive day on Friday due to massive landslides and rain-triggered damage. Authorities said efforts are underway to restore the highway by Saturday morning to ensure movement of essential supplies.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, visited the worst-hit stretches of the highway in Udhampur district and reviewed restoration efforts alongside senior officers and officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). He inspected the affected area at Thard, where a massive hill movement had wiped out nearly 200 metres of road.
“We are trying to reopen the highway by tomorrow morning so that essential supplies reach the Valley. Debris clearance is being carried out on a war footing and the improved weather has accelerated the pace of restoration,” the Div Com told reporters.
Officials said the Udhampur–Ramban–Banihal section has been the most severely impacted. Key problem spots include Shalgadi, Nachilana, Panthyal, Maroog and Peerah, where retaining walls and road patches have collapsed, while a major landslide has also blocked one tube of the Peerah tunnel.
In Udhampur sector, nearly 10 km of the road between Jakhani, Thard, Bali Nallah and Dewal has been badly damaged. Men and machinery have been deployed round-the-clock to restore connectivity.
The closure has left over 3,700 vehicles stranded across Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Ramban, and the Kashmir Valley. Officials said arrangements are being made to ensure stranded passengers and truckers receive essential assistance until traffic resumes.
