Ramban, July 31 (KINS): The District Administration Ramban on Friday clarified that the suspension of traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) is a one-day measure only, aimed at ensuring public safety and allowing urgent slope stabilisation, repair works and debris removal on the vulnerable Ramban-Banihal stretch.
According to officials, the traffic halt, in effect on July 31, 2026, applies to all commuters and all categories of vehicles as a precautionary safety measure.
The administration said the decision was necessitated by continuous heavy rainfall since July 18, which triggered repeated landslides, mudslides and the falling of loose boulders near Gangroo and Kishtwari Pathar. The unstable hill slopes require the use of heavy machinery for debris clearance and permanent stabilisation, work that cannot be carried out safely while traffic is moving.
Officials said the public was informed well in advance, with the traffic suspension order issued on July 30, enabling commuters to plan their journeys accordingly and avoid inconvenience.
The District Administration and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are working round the clock to complete the restoration and stabilisation works at the earliest and ensure the safe reopening of the highway. Emergency response teams, ambulances and disaster management personnel have also been kept on standby throughout the operation.
The administration appealed to commuters to cooperate with the temporary restrictions, assuring that every effort is being made to restore normal traffic movement as quickly and safely as possible.(KINS)
NH-44 closed for one day only to facilitate urgent slope stabilisation, debris removal
