Udhampur: Traffic Jam Persists on Jammu-Srinagar Highway Due to Landslide
Long traffic jams were reported on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) at Thard in Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday as single-lane movement left thousands of vehicles stranded.
Officials said the highway has not been fully restored after landslides blocked the road. With only one lane operational, traffic is moving slowly, causing severe congestion and delays for both trucks and light vehicles.
Udhampur Deputy SP Traffic Jatinder Singh said that a landslide stretching nearly 300 metres had forced the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to cut a temporary road through the mountain.
“This temporary road is unsuitable for heavy traffic, leading to frequent jams. The stretch can handle only about 40 trucks per hour, and congestion worsens with the movement of heavy trucks, ambulances, and other vehicles. Travel from Udhampur to Thard can now take up to two hours. Despite efforts to clear the highway, around 2,000 trucks remain stuck,” he said.
Vehicular movement on NH-44, a crucial supply route to the Kashmir Valley, has been affected for over two weeks due to rainfall-triggered landslides. The highway is vital for commuters as well as the transportation of essential goods and supplies.
On September 9, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited Thard village to review restoration work. NHAI Regional Officer RS Yadav briefed him on the deployment of personnel and machinery for the highway’s speedy repair. The LG also interacted with affected families to check on their well-being.
The region had experienced heavy rainfall in the last week of August, triggering landslides, flash floods, and road blockages, forcing the closure of NH-44 and cutting off several districts.
