Ramban / Udhampur, Aug 31: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday carried out an extensive tour of Ramban and Udhampur districts to assess the widespread devastation caused by recent cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and mudslides, which have severely disrupted life and damaged the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
While heading to Jammu, CM Omar inspected the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway in Ramban, Chenani, and Udhampur.
The highway has been blocked since August 26 following multiple landslides between the Udhampur and Banihal sectors.
Although the Ramban-Banihal sector was opened, the Udhampur and Chenani sector is still blocked due to sinking road stretches at several places.
Speaking to reporters in the Maroog area of Ramban, CM Omar said that he had been in constant touch with the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), the construction companies, and concerned officials regarding the restoration of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
He said that the stretches where landslides had occurred had suffered considerable damage, and the complete restoration might take around 20 to 25 days.
However, the CM said an alternative route had already been made operational, which was facilitating two-way traffic movement.
He clarified that at present, the main difficulty was being faced on the Udhampur-Balli Nallah stretch, not in Ramban.
Referring to the recent cloudburst in Rajgarh, CM Omar said that relief measures had already been initiated on the lines of assistance announced on Saturday for other affected areas.
He said that MLA Ramban, Arjun Singh Raju, had discussed the issue with him over phone, following which relief for the cloudburst victims had been sanctioned from Srinagar, while Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ramban had also released funds from the Red Cross.
“Whatever additional support is required will also be provided without any delay,” the CM said.
Later, the CM visited the damaged portions of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at Bali Nallah and Thard in Udhampur district.
He inspected the ongoing restoration works and instructed executing agencies to deploy additional men and machinery for the speedy clearance of debris and repair of the highway.
Stressing that restoration of road connectivity was the government’s priority, CM Omar asked the district administration to ensure that all possible measures were adopted to reopen the highway at the earliest.
The CM, accompanied by MLA Chenani Balwant Singh Mankotia, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Saloni Rai, and senior officers of the district administration, reviewed in detail the clearance operations being carried out round the clock.
He emphasised that at least one tube of the highway must be opened urgently to facilitate the transportation of essential supplies to Kashmir and ease the hardships of the people.
During his interaction with the locals at Bali Nallah and Thard, CM Omar listened to their grievances and assured them of full government support.
He directed the administration to immediately provide ration, clean drinking water, restore power supply, set-up temporary shelters, and provide other assistance to families whose houses have been damaged.
The CM stressed that the first priority is the safe relocation of affected families from vulnerable areas, followed by a comprehensive rehabilitation programme once connectivity is restored.
Highlighting the critical importance of the highway, he said that the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway had suffered unprecedented damage in both Ramban and Udhampur districts, causing severe disruption to traffic and supplies.
CM Omar assured that every possible effort is being made to expedite restoration works and minimize public hardship.
Meanwhile, he said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was visiting J&K solely to assess flood damage.
Interacting with reporters in Udhampur after reviewing the ground situation along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, which remained blocked for the sixth day on Sunday, the CM said that the Union Home Minister was visiting J&K to assess the damage caused by flash floods.
“The home minister is solely coming here to assess the situation in the aftermath of the heavy rains and flash floods and look at our requirement from the Centre (to cope with the crisis). He has no other purpose, and he is not coming for security or development review,” he said.
CM Omar said he would put forth a detailed report to the Home Minister during the meeting at the Raj Bhavan.
