Jammu: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has restored two-way traffic for heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, ensuring smooth movement of essential supplies and fruit-laden trucks from Kashmir to markets across the country, officials said.
The 250-km highway — the only all-weather road connecting the Valley with the rest of India — had been blocked since August 26 following multiple landslides and road sinking at several points, notably at Tharad Bridge and Balli Nallah in Udhampur district, and Maroog in Ramban district, they said.
According to officials, the highway suffered major disruptions due to heavy rainfall, flash floods, and cloudbursts during August and September. It was partially reopened for one-way traffic on September 10 after NHAI mobilized manpower and machinery on a war footing to restore connectivity.
“After sustained restoration efforts, the damaged stretches were repaired and blacktopped. The most affected 300-meter stretch near Tharad, between Udhampur and Chenani, was fully blacktopped on October 5, allowing smooth passage for both HMVs and LMVs,” an NHAI official said.
The official added that with the restoration complete, two-way traffic movement for all types of vehicles has now resumed, easing congestion and ensuring uninterrupted flow along the vital Lakhanpur–Jammu–Srinagar corridor.
On October 9, NHAI requested the local administration to formally resume two-way vehicle movement on the highway to maintain smooth traffic and prevent jams, officials said.
Reaffirming its commitment to the region’s connectivity, an NHAI spokesperson said the authority remains dedicated to maintaining the highway’s operational efficiency, especially during the ongoing fruit season. “Regular monitoring and maintenance teams have been deployed along the corridor to ensure safe and hassle-free travel,” the spokesperson added.
