Heavy Rains Stall Restoration Work on Jammu–Srinagar Highway; Traffic Diversions, Delays Expected

Jammu / Srinagar, Sept 6: Fresh spells of heavy rain have disrupted restoration and clearance work on the vital Jammu–Srinagar national highway, officials said on Saturday. Ongoing repair operations carried out after recent landslides and flood damage were forced to suspend as teams battled renewed waterlogging, falling debris and unsafe slopes.

Work Suspended, Movements Affected

Highway authorities and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) confirmed that intermittent rain through the night and early morning hampered clearing operations on several damaged stretches, particularly in landslide-prone passes and river-adjacent sections. Contractors and BRO teams temporarily withdrew machinery from exposed sites until the weather improved and slopes could be re-assessed for safety.

Where the Damage Is Most Severe

Officials identified sections near key passes and river crossings as the worst affected. Fallen boulders, slushy debris and washouts have narrowed carriageways in places, slowing the movement of heavy excavators and earthmovers. Several culverts and small bridges that were being repaired saw renewed scouring because of elevated water flow, complicating the engineers’ restoration plans.

Traffic Management and Diversions

The police and highway control rooms have imposed temporary restrictions on large vehicle movement and are allowing only essential and light traffic through cleared single-lane patches under escort. Motorists are advised to avoid non-essential travel on the corridor until teams confirm continuous safe passage. Authorities have activated alternate arrangements for critical movements, but long-distance travellers should expect delays of several hours.

Safety First — Officials Speak

An NHAI/BRO spokesperson said, “Our first priority is the safety of the workforce and commuters. We will not undertake risky clearance operations during active downpours. Once the skies clear and slope stability is confirmed by geotechnical teams, the restoration work will resume urgently.” Local traffic police added that night-time travel remains particularly risky and urged passengers and truckers to check with highway control rooms before starting journeys.

Impact on Supplies & Local Economy

The Jammu–Srinagar highway is the lifeline for essential supplies into the Kashmir Valley. Disruptions and stoppages heighten pressure on logistics — perishable goods, fuel and medical supplies face delay risk. Hotel, transport and trade stakeholders in the valley expressed concern that intermittent shutdowns could further strain relief and commerce recovery efforts in previously flood-impacted areas.

Rescue and Clearance Resources

Multiple agencies — BRO, NHAI, state PWD, local police and disaster response teams — are coordinating operations. Heavy earthmoving equipment, cranes and rock-cutting teams are standing by to resume restoration as soon as ground conditions stabilize. Geologists and slope-stability experts have been asked to conduct rapid assessments to curb repeated slide incidents.

Public Advisory

Check live highway updates via the official control room numbers and social handles before travelling.
Avoid non-essential travel on sections prone to landslides until authorities issue an all-clear.
Follow police escort instructions and do not attempt to pass through active work zones.
Commercial operators should coordinate with highway authorities for scheduling and priority movements of essential goods.

Outlook

Meteorological forecasts predict intermittent showers in the region for the next 24–48 hours, which may further slow restoration. Officials say they will adopt round-the-clock clearance once weather improves, but an exact timeline depends on slope clearance, debris removal and re-establishment of safe vehicle lanes.

Source: Based on reporting by Daily Excelsior (original page: DailyExcelsior) (Read original)

Labels: Jammu–Srinagar Highway, BRO, NHAI, Landslides, Restoration Works, Road Safety

Tags: #JammuSrinagar #HighwayRestoration #Landslides #BRO #NHAI #TrafficAlert

Disclaimer: This article is a rewritten summary based on reporting by Daily Excelsior. Jammu News Portal does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of external content.