Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, Baseer–Ul-Haq Chaudhary, along with Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic, National Highway, Rohit Baskotra, led an inspection and road clearance operation on NH-44 today amid incessant rain and snowfall.
Heavy rain and snowfall triggered heavy landslides blocking the 270-km long highway between Nashri to Banihal , the primary all-weather road connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country. The Deputy Commissioner personally monitored the road clearance operations at various locations and directed executing agencies to maintain roads for safe and smooth journey of the commuters.
The DC informed that stranded vehicles are being cleared on priority on NH-44. He further said that all priority-I link roads have been cleared for the traffic and restoration work on priority-II link roads is under progress on war footing for seamless connectivity.
The Deputy Commissioner said that public safety remains a priority for the administration. He sought people's cooperation in the ongoing restoration efforts aimed at restoration of essential services like water, and power supply for public convenience.
The Deputy Commissioner also informed that all necessary arrangements have been placed across the district with regard to health emergencies and special focus is on leading to expecting mothers for their safety and medical help.
Closely monitoring the situation, the Deputy Commissioner instructed senior officers, including SDMs, Executive Engineers, PWD and PMGSY, Tehsildars, and other essential department officials, to ensure regular essential services provision for the public. The administration is diligently working to expedite restoration, ensuring community well-being, he added.
Emphasizing the urgency, the DC directed Executive Engineers of PWD and PMGSY to prioritize restoration of link roads for vehicular movement. He asked them to deploy sufficient manpower and machinery to promptly clear landslides and prevent traffic disruptions.
Additionally, commuters have been urged to contact traffic control rooms before embarking on journey. In view of advisory regarding snow avalanche and intermittent shooting of stones, the public has been advised to stay indoors.
The Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by PD NHAI Parshotam Singh, SDM, Banihal, Rizwan Asgar, Executive Engineer PWD, Tehsildar Banihal, Imtiaz Ahmed, and other officers.