Jammu, October 9, 2025 – The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), a critical 270-km lifeline connecting the Dogra plains to the Kashmir Valley, was fully restored to two-way traffic today at 10 AM after nine days of disruptions caused by landslides.
The Public Works Department (PWD), supported by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), cleared over 300 cubic meters of debris from key stretches near Banihal, Nagrota, and Ramban, where heavy rains since October 1 had triggered multiple slides. Executive Engineer Rajesh Thakur, overseeing operations at the Banihal tunnel mouth, confirmed during a noon briefing: “Retaining walls are reinforced at five vulnerable points, ensuring safe passage for all vehicles, including heavy trucks.”
The closures, starting October 1 after 50 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, stranded over 1,200 vehicles, including 400 trucks carrying apples, vegetables, and fuel. The impact rippled across communities: Kashmiri traders in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk faced 20% price hikes for essentials, while Jammu’s Gujjar and Bakarwal nomads, reliant on NH-44 for livestock transport, delayed seasonal migrations. Women vendors at Jammu’s Raghunath Bazaar, like Sunita Devi, 45, a single mother from Janipur, reported a 15% drop in daily sales due to supply shortages. “No trucks, no greens to sell,” she said, restocking her stall today with fresh produce from Shopian.
The reopening brings relief to diverse groups – Sikh pilgrims heading to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in Srinagar, Muslim traders from Poonch ferrying wool, and Hindu families planning Navratri visits to Vaishno Devi. Traffic police at Qazigund reported 600 vehicles crossing by 2 PM, including 150 buses. The BRO also restored a 5-km LoC-adjacent road in Kupwara, aiding Army logistics and local herders. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, addressing a multi-faith community meet in Srinagar at 11 AM, praised the effort: “From farmers to yatris, this highway binds us all. Kudos to our teams.”
Economic recovery is underway, with apple growers in Shopian, who lost 10% of their harvest to delays, expecting price stabilization by weekend. However, the Mughal Road remains closed due to snow at Razdan Top, forcing reliance on airlifts for perishables to Ladakh. The IMD forecasts dry weather till October 12, but Thakur urged vigilance: “Monsoon scars linger; we’re monitoring slopes.” For residents like Rafiq Ahmed, 50, a driver from Rajouri ferrying schoolkids, the reopen means steady fares again. “Families reunite, markets breathe,” he said at a Nagrota dhaba. Community groups, including women’s cooperatives in Kathua, plan to distribute free meals to drivers tomorrow, celebrating connectivity.