Nature’s fury tests Valley’s vital link to Jammu

THE Jammu-Srinagar National Highway—currently being widened under the ‘all-weather connectivity’ project—continues to remain at the mercy of nature, with frequent landslides and incidents of shooting stones disrupting traffic throughout the year.

This strategically vital highway is the lifeline for tourists, locals and defence forces traveling to the Kashmir Valley, reducing travel time significantly due to ongoing widening efforts. However, areas such as Ramban district, along with several other vulnerable stretches, routinely witness traffic disruptions during the monsoon and winter seasons.

While the ongoing construction work is often cited as a key trigger for landslides, experts point to a complex mix of factors contributing to the geological instability. These include fragile lithology, intense rainfall, increased vehicular load and unplanned development. To mitigate risks, the highway has already been realigned at several locations to bypass geologically unstable zones and ensure safer passage.

“The terrain through which the highway passes is extremely fragile. Even minimal rainfall can trigger landslides due to the soft sedimentary rock formations and steep slopes,” said Dr Yudhbir Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Geology, University of Jammu. “Some landslides are caused by construction activity, while others are the result of unprecedented rainfall or the blocking of natural watercourses due to human settlement and development.”

Dr Singh emphasised the need for a tailored approach to mitigation: “A one-size-fits-all solution won’t work here. Each vulnerable area will require its own engineered response based on the specific geological and environmental conditions.”

The most treacherous spots include Panthyal, Mehar, Nachlana, and Kishtwari Pathar—areas notorious for landslides and shooting stones that threaten not just the flow of traffic but human lives as well.

Adding to the danger is the increasing intensity and frequency of rainfall in the region in recent years, which has heightened the risk of flash floods and further exacerbated the problem of slope instability.

Despite the deployment of personnel and heavy machinery by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at multiple critical points, the magnitude of landslides often overwhelms immediate response efforts.

A recent incident near the Ban toll plaza in Jammu district highlighted the persistent threat— a police official was injured when a landslide triggered by heavy rain struck his vehicle, requiring hospital treatment.

Work on the four-laning project is currently underway in Ramban district and is expected to be completed by 2026. Tunnels under construction along the route offer some hope for safer and more reliable connectivity.

However, experts caution that lasting safety will depend not only on engineering but also on strict environmental regulation and planning.