CM Omar Abdullah visits Udhampur to oversee restoration works on Jmu- Sgr National Highway
Meets affected people, assures immediate relief, rehabilitation and government support
UDHAMPUR, AUGUST 31: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today carried out an extensive tour of Udhampur districts to assess the widespread devastation caused by recent cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides and mudslides, which have severely disrupted life and damaged the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44).
Omar visited the damaged portions of NH-44 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 speedy clearance of debris and repair of the highway.Stressing that restoration of road connectivity is the Government’s top priority, Omar Abdullah asked the district administration to ensure that all possible measures are adopted to reopen the road at the earliest.
The Chief Minister, 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 emphasized 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 local residents at Bali Nallah and Thard, Omar Abdullah 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. He 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, the Chief Minister noted that NH-44 has suffered unprecedented damage in both Ramban and Udhampur districts, causing severe disruption to traffic and supplies.He assured that every possible effort is being made to expedite restoration works and minimize public hardship.