RAMBAN, August 1, 2026 – The strategic Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained completely closed to vehicular traffic between Udhampur and Banihal on Friday to facilitate extensive repair, road widening, and slope-stabilization operations. The closure was ordered by authorities to allow the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to undertake critical maintenance at vulnerable stretches damaged during the ongoing monsoon season.
Heavy earthmoving machinery was deployed early Friday morning at key trouble spots, particularly the Dewal-Samroli stretch in Udhampur district and the Gangroo area near Ramsu in Ramban district. Senior NHAI engineers, along with Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police (National Highway) Ramban, Raja Adil Hamid, were on-site monitoring the day-long restoration efforts.
Officials confirmed that the scheduled Amarnath Yatra convoy—comprising around 1,600 pilgrims—was permitted to pass through the highway early Friday morning before the intensive repair work commenced. Operations at the Dewal-Samroli stretch faced brief disruptions due to a fresh spell of rain but resumed shortly after.
1.Traffic Suspended:
Movement for all categories of vehicles remains suspended between Jakheni in Udhampur district and the Navyug Tunnel in Banihal. Traffic from Jammu is halted at Nagrota, while vehicles from the Kashmir Valley are stopped at Qazigund.
2.Scope of Work:
The NHAI is currently widening the hillside carriageway at Ladha and Samroli, and removing loose, overhanging rocks and unstable debris near Gangroo and Kishtwari Pather.
3.Travel Advisory:
Commuters traveling to Katra, Reasi, and Udhampur are advised to carry valid photo ID cards to pass through the Nagrota area. The Traffic Police strongly advises the public to avoid unnecessary travel and verify road conditions via official channels before planning journeys.
The complete suspension of traffic on the 250-km highway—the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country—has caused significant inconvenience to hundreds of stranded commuters and transporters. The highway has faced repeated disruptions since mid-July due to incessant rains triggering landslides and shooting stones.
According to NHAI Project Director (PIU Ramban) Shubham Yadav, restoration work at Dewal Udhampur was scheduled for completion by late Friday night. However, intermittent rainfall continues to pose challenges for the ground teams. If weather conditions remain favorable, authorities hope to reopen the highway for traffic on Saturday once safety assessments are complete.
Published by True Roots Media Network