On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH44) reopened for heavy vehicles following a three-week closure. The 270-kilometer arterial route had been made inaccessible to heavy transport due to heavy rains and flash floods experienced last month, which caused significant damage.
The reopening facilitates the passage of hundreds of fruit-laden trucks from Kashmir, which had been stranded. While the highway had partially reopened for light motor vehicles the previous week, heavy vehicle access remained restricted. Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic-rural) Ravindra Singh affirmed that clearing these stranded fruit-laden vehicles is a primary objective. Authorities have advised drivers to adhere to traffic regulations and avoid overtaking to prevent potential accidents and further road blockages. The extended closure had previously led to concerns among fruit growers regarding their crop reaching terminal markets, with the alternative Mughal Road proving unsuitable for heavy vehicle operations.
Source: www.thehindu.com