Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday assured that the government is making every effort to reopen the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway within the next 24 hours.
Speaking to reporters, Omar said, “Our first priority was to safeguard the lives of those stranded due to the landslides, and we acted swiftly to evacuate them.”
He emphasized that the next critical step is restoring the National Highway. “Reconnecting the highway is essential, as we cannot transport essential materials to Ramban until the road is rebuilt,” he stated.
The Chief Minister added that officials have committed to restoring at least single-lane traffic on the route as soon as possible.
Highlighting the administration’s active engagement, Omar said, “For three consecutive days, our teams have been on the ground in Ramban. On the first day, the Deputy Chief Minister and the local MLA visited the site. I personally visited the next day to ensure no lives were at risk.”
He stressed the importance of urgency in such operations: “I believe that fast-paced action is always more effective.”
Currently, the government is focusing on providing temporary relief to those affected. “We are working to deliver immediate assistance and ensure that compensation is distributed through the Red Cross at the earliest,” he said.
Regarding long-term support, Omar added, “We will conduct a proper assessment of property damage and compensate victims under the NDRF and SDRF guidelines.”
He concluded by saying, “We will also request the Government of India to declare the area a disaster zone, and I am confident that support will be extended to the affected families.”
In the interim, traffic is being diverted through the Mughal Road and Sinthan Top, though these routes are experiencing slow movement due to narrow lanes and additional landslides
Rescue operations have been intensified as teams from the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local authorities are engaged in providing relief, including food, shelter, and medical assistance. The power supply remains disrupted in Ramban and surrounding villages, and numerous smaller roads are still blocked.
