Massive road clearance operations were underway on Saturday to restore traffic on the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway and other key routes in Jammu and Kashmir, which remained closed for the second consecutive day due to slippery conditions caused by heavy snowfall, officials said.
Hundreds of commuters stranded on the 270-km Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, were evacuated to safety by the Army, police and civil administration. The stranded passengers were provided food, shelter and medical assistance, officials added.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic), NH Banihal, S P Singh said snow clearance operations on NH-44 were in their final stages and stranded vehicles on both sides of the highway would be cleared on priority. He said over 900 vehicles were stuck in the Ramban sector, while more than 2,000 vehicles, including trucks carrying essential commodities, were waiting to proceed towards Jammu, Udhampur, Kulgam and Anantnag.
“Some stretches in the Ramsoo–Banihal sector are still slippery. Road clearing agencies are sprinkling salt and urea to improve driving conditions. Normal traffic is expected to resume once stranded vehicles are cleared,” Singh said.
Amid the severe weather, the Army carried out extensive humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. Troops from Nachlana Army Camp responded to multiple distress calls, helping stranded civilians and tourists affected by road blockages, heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. Army personnel provided food, drinking water, hot tea and first aid to elderly persons, women and children stranded along the highway.
In another operation, 32 martial arts cadets of the Warriors Taekwondo Academy, along with their coaches and parents, were rescued after being stranded near Nachlana due to sudden snowfall. The group was evacuated to Nachlana Camp, where they were provided warm meals, medical aid, clothing and safe accommodation until weather conditions improved.
Army troops from Sangaldan Camp also assisted 65 stranded passengers at Sangaldan Railway Station after receiving a distress call from railway officials, providing them with essential supplies despite difficult weather conditions.
Traffic officials said that besides NH-44, vehicular movement remained suspended on the Mughal Road, Sinthan Top road, Srinagar–Leh National Highway and several other routes across the Union Territory. People have been advised to avoid travel until roads are fully restored and declared safe.
Meanwhile, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has launched major snow clearance operations on the Jammu–Rajouri–Poonch National Highway, which remains closed between BG Rajouri and Jarran Wali Gali due to heavy snowfall. BRO officials said men and machinery were working round-the-clock to reopen the strategically important road.
Heavy snowfall was also reported from higher reaches of the Jammu region, including popular tourist destinations such as Patnitop, Nathatop and Bhaderwah, while rainfall in the plains, including Jammu city, ended a dry spell of over two months. Some areas of Rajouri, Doda and Udhampur witnessed snowfall after more than a decade, officials said.
