The Kashmir Pulse

NEW DELHI — To ensure a seamless travel experience and avoid inconvenience at toll plazas, NHAI has advised Paytm FASTag users to procure a new FASTag issued by another bank before March 15, 2024. This will help in avoiding penalties or any double fee charges while commuting on National Highways.

In line with the guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India regarding restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank, the Paytm FASTags users will not be able to recharge or top-up the balance post March 15, 2024. However, they can use their existing balance to pay tolls beyond the stipulated date.

For any further queries or assistance related to Paytm FASTag, users can reach out to their respective banks or refer to the FAQs provided on the IHMCL website.

NHAI has urged all Paytm FASTag users to take proactive measures to ensure a seamless travel experience on the National Highways across the country.

SRINAGAR — After enduring a four-day closure prompted by a series of landslides triggered by heavy rains and snowfall, the Srinagar-Jammu national highway was finally reopened for traffic on Friday.

Efforts by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) National Highway Ramban, and the diligent work of traffic police have been instrumental in restoring the crucial roadway.

A spokesperson from the traffic department told the news agency KNS that the traffic movement resumed along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, although slow-paced in the Ramsoo sector due to single-lane conditions and poor road surfaces.

Authorities, in collaboration with traffic police, spared no effort in the mission to reopen the national highway.

Early Friday morning, Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) were permitted from both directions, with heavy vehicles regulated to ensure a smooth flow of traffic. Significant damage to the road, resulting in single-lane stretches, was observed at Dalwas, Cafeteria-Mehad, and Gangroo between Nashri and Banihal tunnels.

The decision to reopen the highway came after the successful clearance of all stranded vehicles late Thursday.

The closure, which commenced on Monday, was necessitated by a series of landslides, mudslides, and rockfalls from the surrounding hills, obstructing the road at multiple points.

Wednesday saw improving weather conditions, enabling the mobilization of additional manpower and machinery by concerned agencies. This facilitated the partial reopening of the road for stranded vehicles. However, a substantial landslide at Kishtwari Pather required further clearance efforts before the highway was fully accessible to traffic on Thursday afternoon.

Earlier, the Jammu National Highway (NH-44) was partially restored for stranded traffic after NHAI prepared a single road stretch at various locations between Nashri and Banihal in Ramban district on Thursday afternoon.

Despite intermittent closures due to fresh landslides, efforts to clear the route continued, with around one dozen machines deployed at critical points. Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police National Highway Ramban, Rohit Baskotra, personally supervised the restoration operations, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The extensive damages suffered by National Highway 44, passing through the Ramban district, were attributed to heavy rains, leading to landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones between Nashri and Banihal on Monday and Tuesday.

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway serves as the vital lifeline of the Kashmir valley, representing the primary road link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the nation. This crucial artery facilitates the transportation of essential supplies and commodities, playing a pivotal role in sustaining the region's economy and ensuring the well-being of its inhabitants.

The highway serves as the primary conduit for Kashmir-bound trucks laden with vital provisions and goods, ensuring the continuous flow of essential supplies into the valley. Moreover, it also acts as the primary route for fruit-carrying trucks originating from Kashmir, destined for various parts of the country.

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway not only serves as a vital transportation route but also represents a lifeline for the Kashmir valley, connecting it with the broader national network and enabling the seamless exchange of goods and commerce essential for its sustenance and growth.

RAMBAN — Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar today visited district Ramban to review the arrangements being put in place for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2023 and to inspect progress on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway's four-laning works.

Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Mussarat Islam; SSP, Mohita Sharma; SSP Traffic National Highway, Rohit Baksotra; ADC, Harbans Sharma; PD NHAI, Parshotam Kumar besides senior officers of SASB, JPDCL, Jal Shakti, PWD, NHAI and other concerned officers accompanied the Divisional Commissioner.

During the tour, the Div Com visited Yatri Niwas Chanderkote and inspected the arrangements being put in place for the smooth conduct of the Yatra. He also inspected Langar sites along National Highway besides inspecting national highway works.

He directed NHAI and construction companies to maintain NH-44 and stationed adequate machinery at all vulnerable places to clear roads without any delay. He instructed the executing agency and other stakeholders to ensure the completion of works by implementing all plans and directions issued from time to time for the smooth conduct of the holy Yatra.

He also directed officers of NHAI to complete the maintenance work to provide safe passage to commuters. He stressed on expeditious maintenance of the highway, traffic regulation, following lane enforcement, and surface maintenance.

The Div Com also chaired a meeting and emphasized upon the stakeholder departments to synergize efforts to make adequate arrangements well in advance for the smooth conduct of the holy Yatra.

The Div Com instructed the Traffic Department to formulate a traffic plan for the smooth flow of traffic on important routes. He asked the district administration Ramban to ensure the availability of water, power, and toilets at each lodgement center.

The Div Com also reviewed in detail the facilities at Yatri Niwas Chanderkote and issued directions for putting in all necessary arrangements in time.

The Div Com instructed all the concerned departments to expedite the works to ensure that all necessary arrangements are put in place well before the commencement of the Yatra.

UDHAMPUR — In a tragic accident, three pedestrians were crushed to death by a truck while six others sustained injuries on Sudhmahadev road in Udhampur district on Friday. Massive protests broke out at the site soon after the accident took place.

Reports reaching the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a large number of people from Baishty and other adjoining villages of the area assembled on Sudhmahadev road in Udhampur district and held a protest against the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and other agencies engaged in highway construction works.

The protest was held by people who alleged the use of unparliamentary language by some officials of NHAI and some work that is not acceptable to the local population.

This protest lasted for a few hours, which was later pacified by the police officers along with civil administration and representatives from the concerned agency.

Police said that soon after this protest ended and people were on their way to destinations, an accident took place on the spot.

“A truck bearing registration number JK01X-4682 was moving on the road when its driver lost control over the vehicle and hit two other light motor vehicles on the road and then crushed some pedestrians and people standing along the roadside,” said police.

In this accident, three people died on the spot while six others sustained injuries who were shifted to the hospital where the condition of three of the injured is stated to be critical.

The deceased have been identified as Abdul Rashid (60), son of Hassan Din; Savitri Devi (38), wife of Sudesh Kumar and Sarishta Devi (33), wife of Subash Chander—all residents of Baishty.

The injured include Mubashar Ahmed (03), Altaf Hussain (15), Gian Chand (57), Barket Begum (60), Shahin Akhter (29) and Muhammad Ramzan (28).

Meanwhile, soon after this tragic accident, another protest hit the area where a large number of people assembled on the road. The protesters were later pacified by the officers of police and civil administration.

Police said that a case under FIR number 43/2022 U/S 279/337/304-A has been registered in a local police station and further investigation is going on.