The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the lifeline of Kashmir, has been crippled by heavy rains and landslides. What was once a smooth five-hour journey between Jammu and Srinagar has now turned into a grueling 10 to 12-hour ordeal for commuters.
The situation is worst along the Udhampur–Banihal stretch, where massive traffic jams and road damage have created endless chaos for drivers, passengers, and transporters.
Udhampur and Ramban – Bottlenecks of Frustration
The Udhampur and Ramban sectors have become major choke points. At Thrad near Bali Nallah in Udhampur, trucks take nearly six minutes to cross just 250 meters. The rough, rocky stretch is causing frequent tyre bursts, forcing stranded trucks to be towed away with machines.
Despite thousands of vehicles depending on this 270 km highway every day, current traffic has plummeted:
- Only 1,000–1,200 trucks cross in 24 hours (down from 8,000–9,000).
- Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and fuel tankers are also reduced to one-third of their usual flow.
Around 2,000 fruit trucks left Kashmir for Jammu, but many remained stuck at bottlenecks for over 24 hours. Long queues stretched across Udhampur and Ramban, frustrating farmers, traders, and transporters who rely on quick deliveries to prevent losses.
Read also: Jammu Floods Cripple Economy: 12,000 km Roads Destroyed, Bridges Broken & Homes Lost
Vaishno Devi Yatra Postponed After Deadly Landslide
The impact of the rains extends beyond the highway. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, which was scheduled to resume after a 19-day gap, has been suspended due to inclement weather. Shrine Board officials confirmed that devotees should wait for fresh updates.
This comes just weeks after tragedy struck on August 26, when a landslide near Adhkuwari claimed the lives of 34 pilgrims and injured several others.
High-Level Probe Ordered by J&K Administration
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who also heads the Shrine Board, has ordered a three-member high-level probe into the deadly landslide. The committee, led by Additional Chief Secretary Shaleen Kabra, includes the Jammu Divisional Commissioner and the Inspector General of Police. They will submit a comprehensive report to the LG.
Preparations for Navratri Amid Ongoing Crisis
Despite the setback, preparations for the upcoming Navratri Festival (starting September 22) are in full swing. Sachin Kumar Vaishya, CEO of the Shrine Board, chaired a meeting to ensure seamless pilgrimage management during Navratras.
Read also: From Fields to Floods: Jammu Farmers Face Unprecedented Crop Losses
The Board expects a massive influx of devotees and is coordinating with security agencies, local administration, and service providers to ensure safety and smooth arrangements.
The Jammu-Srinagar Highway disaster highlights the fragile condition of the region’s only all-weather road. With truckloads of fruits stranded, traffic at a standstill, and pilgrimages halted, both the economy and faith of the region stand deeply shaken. Until repairs, widening, and better management take place, commuters and pilgrims will continue to suffer endless delays and risks.
