Ramban, April 26, 2025 – The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44), a critical lifeline connecting Kashmir with the rest of India, will remain closed from Saturday evening until Monday morning, April 28, 2025, to facilitate urgent repair work in Ramban district. The closure, announced by the District Administration Ramban and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), is necessary to address extensive damage caused by flash floods and landslides triggered by a cloudburst on April 20, 2025.
The highway, blocked since the disaster, suffered significant damage at multiple points, including Panthiyal, Kela Morh, and Seri Bagna, with mudslides, boulders, and road subsidence disrupting connectivity. The cloudburst claimed three lives, damaged 200–250 homes, and left hundreds of vehicles stranded. While one-way traffic from Jammu to Srinagar was restored on April 25, 2025, full restoration requires comprehensive repairs to ensure safety. The NHAI has scheduled a complete traffic suspension between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel from 8 AM Sunday to 8 AM Monday, with no vehicle movement allowed after 5 PM Saturday from Qazigund toward Jammu or from Udhampur toward Srinagar.
Deputy Commissioner Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary, overseeing relief operations, stated, “The repairs are critical to widen damaged sections and stabilize the highway for safe travel.” The administration, supported by the Public Works Department (PWD), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), is deploying heavy machinery to clear debris and repair sunken road sections. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is set to visit Ramban on Saturday to review restoration progress, amid ongoing relief efforts for flood-affected communities in villages like Bhagna and Dharamkund.
The closure has raised concerns about potential shortages of essential supplies in Kashmir, with load carriers advised to adjust schedules for perishable goods and livestock. Commuters are urged to contact Traffic Control Units (TCU) in Jammu, Srinagar, Ramban, and Udhampur for updates before traveling on April 28. The Mughal Road, an alternative route, remains restricted to Light Motor Vehicles, placing additional strain on regional connectivity.
This repair effort follows heightened regional tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, underscoring the urgency of restoring the highway for both economic and security reasons. The administration’s focus remains on ensuring traveler safety while expediting rehabilitation for affected residents.