UDHAMPUR 10 September – In a significant relief to thousands of stranded passengers and traders, the critically important Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) was partially reopened for light motor vehicles (LMVs) on a highly cautious, temporary basis on Wednesday. The decision comes after nine agonizing days of a complete closure, forced by massive landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in the treacherous Thard area of Udhampur district.
The reopening, however, is being treated by authorities as a tentative trial rather than a full restoration. Officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have explicitly stated that only passenger cars and other light vehicles are being permitted to pass, and that the situation will be critically monitored over the next few hours. The stability of the freshly cleared stretch at the landslide-prone zones of Thard will be the determining factor for allowing further traffic or, in a worst-case scenario, closing the highway again.
The extensive nine-day restoration effort involved round-the-clock work by crews using heavy machinery to clear thousands of tons of debris and stabilize the slopes.. They have emphasized that this initial movement of light vehicles is a crucial test to see how the road structure holds up under traffic vibration and weather conditions.
For now, commuters and transport operators are advised to proceed with extreme caution and stay updated on official advisories. The next hour is critical, and the decision on whether to continue the flow of traffic, allow heavier vehicles, or suspend movement once more hinges entirely on the highway’s performance at Thard. The temporary reopening offers a glimmer of hope. if conditions remain favourable, trucks carrying essential commodities may be allowed later in the evening or tonight.