Banihal, Sept 17: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday visited Thard along the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway to review ongoing restoration works.
CM Omar Abdullah directed the administration to prioritize the evacuation of vehicles that have been stuck for several days. He assured that no one would be left without food during the disruption.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, Inspector General of Traffic Police Mohammad Suleman Choudhary, DC Udhampur Saloni Rai, and senior officials from the National Highways Authority of India.
The inspection focused on the temporary diversion created by NHAI to keep traffic operational. A two-lane temporary passage has been built, with vehicle movement being regulated in accordance with the daily advisories issued by the Traffic Police.
It may be recalled that NH-44 was completely blocked on September 2 when both up and down lanes were submerged under massive landslides at Tharad in Udhampur. After extensive efforts, NHAI managed to partially reopen the highway on September 10 for light motor vehicles. Subsequently, trucks carrying essential commodities were also allowed to move after three weeks halt.
