In a move to assess and expedite restoration work on the crucial Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today visited the affected sites in district Ramban.
The Chief Secretary was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary; Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban, Kulbir Singh and SSP Traffic National Highway, Raja Adil Hamid and PD NHAI Parshotam Singh.
Dulloo along with the team inspected various vulnerable and affected spots including Marog, Sita Ram Passi, Seri, Mehar, and Dalwas to review the extent of damage and ongoing restoration works.
During the visit, he emphasized urgency of the situation and directed the executing agency to accelerate the pace of work to ensure early clearance of stranded vehicles and resumption of traffic on this critical route.
Acknowledging the plight of those stranded, the Chief Secretary instructed the district administration to extend all necessary support to the stranded passengers. He also called upon the traffic police to provide full cooperation to the executing agency, facilitating seamless restoration operations.
Dulloo asked for prioritizing the movement of passenger vehicles and trucks carrying perishable goods once the road reopens. He highlighted the need for a coordinated approach to minimize inconvenience and mitigate the impact resulting from the disruption.
During the inspection, the Chief Secretary directed the concerned agencies, particularly the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), to expedite repair and restoration work ensuring uninterrupted vehicular movement. He emphasized the need for durable and time-bound solutions to address the recurring issue of landslides and road erosion in this vital corridor that connects Jammu with the Kashmir Valley.
Special focus was laid on the ongoing Four-Laning Project of NH-44 between Nashri and Banihal, which forms a key component of the J&K road infrastructure upgrade.
The Chief Secretary took stock of the physical progress on the project and directed the executing agencies to strictly adhere to timelines, while ensuring quality and safety standards.
Highlighting the importance of seamless transportation, he instructed the NHAI officers to ensure proper double carriageways in all critical stretches of NH-44 to facilitate smooth and safe vehicular flow, especially given the highway’s strategic and economic significance.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary, briefed the Chief Secretary about the losses incurred due to recent cloudbursts and flash floods, detailing the immediate response, restoration measures, and relief provided to affected families. He also outlined the District Administration’s preparedness and coordination mechanisms to tackle such natural calamities in the future.