SRINAGAR: Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mussarat Islam, conducted a thorough inspection to assess the road restoration efforts on NH-44, in addition to evaluating the damage caused by flash floods and landslides triggered by incessant rains over the past two days.
Mussarat Islam was accompanied by SSP Traffic National Highway Rohit Baskotra, Additional Deputy Commissioner Harbans Lal and Regional Officer NHAI Patnala Siva Shanker, PD, NHAI PIU Parshotam Kumar, and other high-ranking officers.
Previously, landslides had obstructed the 270-kilometer-long National Highway at critical points such as Mehar, Seri, Panthyal, and other locations within the Ramban district.
Together with the Regional Officer NHAI, the Deputy Commissioner inspected the Seri-Chamba stretch, where a section of the road had collapsed due to an unprecedented rise in the water level of River Chenab.
On Saturday, the Deputy Commissioner visited Panthyal to assess the road restoration work following damage to the approach road between Tunnels T-5 and T3.
After discussing the actions being undertaken by NHAI and its concessionaire companies involved in the four-laning project of the National Highway, the Deputy Commissioner issued on-site instructions to NHAI and executing agencies, urging them to promptly deploy sufficient manpower and machinery to restore traffic flow on the affected stretch. Additionally, he appealed to passengers to contact the Traffic Control Room before embarking on their journeys along the National Highway.
Simultaneously, the Deputy Commissioner inspected the temporary shelters and Lodgement Centers established by the administration in the district to accommodate stranded pilgrims during the road blockade.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the assigned officials to provide all necessary services to the stranded yatris during their stay at Yatri Niwas Chanderkote, Yatra Camp, Lamber, and other Lodgment Centers.
- Considering the rise in water levels in rivers and streams, particularly in the Chenab River, the Deputy Commissioner appealed to the public to refrain from approaching the river and to adhere to the advisories issued by the authorities regarding this matter.
