Omar Abdullah seeks long-term solution as NH closure worries Kashmiri fruit growers

SRINAGAR/JAMMU: The Srinagar-Jammu highway (NH-44) has remained shut for traffic for the past 15 days due to landslides at several stretches, leaving Kashmiri fruit growers worried about their produce rotting in view of the prolonged closure.

CM Omar Abdullah Tuesday assured them that restoration work on NH-44 was being monitored hourly and all possible measures were being adopted to restore highway connectivity. He also said long-term solutions — such as introducing a rail cargo service for Kashmir’s fruit produce — are being explored to prevent future disruptions during peak seasons.

J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha visited Thard village in Udhampur district on Tuesday and reviewed the ongoing restoration work along NH-44. He also assured assistance to flood-hit residents of Jammu city.

Senior officials, meanwhile, said NH-44 is likely to be opened on Wednesday for light vehicles. “The highway is still closed from Jakheni (Udhampur) towards Srinagar and vice versa due to blockages between Jakheni and Balli Nallah. No vehicular movement shall be allowed from Nagrota (Jammu) towards Reasi, Chenani, Patnitop, Doda, Ramban, Banihal, Srinagar, and vice versa,” a traffic official said.

Jammu and Kashmir Apple Farmers Federation has warned that prolonged highway closure could push the horticulture sector — which generates around Rs 10,000 crore income and employs around 35 lakh people — to the brink of crisis. “Whenever Srinagar-Jammu highway is opened, only fruit trucks should be allowed to ply at night,” said Federation president Zahoor Ahmad Rather. He said several trucks stranded on the road had to return from Qazigund and unload apple boxes, leading to enormous losses.

Border Roads Organisation’s 118 Road Construction Company, meanwhile, managed to restore the critical Gulabgarh-Chasoti road, which was reopened for traffic Tuesday. Twin cloudbursts in Kishtwar’s Chasoti on Aug 14 had triggered flash floods, killing 65 people and leaving several missing. Heavy downpour following the disaster had further damaged crucial road links in the area.

"The vital link was severed following catastrophic torrential rains and subsequent landslides on Aug 26 and 27, cutting off numerous remote villages in Jammu division,” Army’s Jammu-based PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said.

“Working in treacherous and unforgiving conditions, the BRO Karmyogis under the command of Maj Jivitesh Razora, worked round-the-clock for 13 days, battling unstable hillsides and debris, and finally succeeded in clearing a formidable 14km stretch,” Bartwal said.

“The operation was an example of inter-agency coordination. While 118 RCC tackled the more extensive damage from Chasoti, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana initiated clearance from Gulabgarh end, opening a 7km stretch. The combined effort of both agencies ensured that the entire 21km blocked route was made motorable in record time,” Bartwal added.