Jammu, Jan 24: Authorities on Saturday continued massive road clearance operations to restore traffic on the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway and other major routes that have remained closed for the second consecutive day due to slippery conditions caused by snowfall, officials said.
Hundreds of commuters stranded along the 270-kilometre Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, were evacuated to safer locations and provided food and shelter by the Army, police and civil administration.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Traffic National Highway (Banihal), S P Singh said snow clearance work on NH-44 is in its final phase and priority is being given to clearing stranded vehicles on both sides. He said over 900 vehicles are stuck in the Ramban sector, while more than 2,000 others, including trucks carrying essential supplies, are waiting at different points to proceed towards Jammu, Udhampur, Kulgam and Anantnag.
The DSP said some stretches in the Ramsoo–Banihal sector remain slippery and road-clearing agencies are sprinkling salt and urea to improve road conditions for safe movement. Normal traffic is expected to resume once the stranded vehicles are cleared, he added.
Amid the severe weather conditions, the Army carried out extensive humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations along the NH-44. Troops from the Nachlana Army camp responded to multiple distress calls after heavy snowfall, road blockages and sub-zero temperatures left civilians and tourists stranded without food, water or medical aid.
Army personnel provided stranded people with food, drinking water, hot tea and medical first aid, ensuring their safety. In another operation, 32 martial arts cadets from the Warriors Taekwondo Academy, along with their coaches and parents, were rescued near Nachlana after they were trapped due to sudden snowfall. The group was shifted to Nachlana Camp, where they were provided warm meals, clothing, first aid and shelter until weather conditions improved.
On Friday, Army troops from Sangaldan Camp also assisted 65 stranded passengers at Sangaldan Railway Station by supplying essential items after receiving a distress call from railway officials and passengers.
Traffic department officials said that besides the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, several other roads including the Mughal Road, Sinthan Top Road, Srinagar–Leh National Highway and dozens of internal roads across various districts remain closed due to snowfall. People have been advised to avoid travel until the roads are fully restored and declared safe.
Meanwhile, the Border Roads Organisation is conducting snow clearance operations on the Jammu–Rajouri–Poonch National Highway, which remains closed between BG of Rajouri and Jarran Wali Gali in Poonch following heavy snowfall. BRO officials said men and machinery are working continuously to reopen the strategic route.
High-altitude areas across the Jammu region, including tourist destinations such as Patnitop, Nathatop and Bhaderwah, received moderate to heavy snowfall on Friday. Rainfall in the plains, including Jammu city, ended a dry spell of over two months, while areas like Rajouri town and parts of Doda and Udhampur witnessed snowfall after more than a decade.
