Convener News Desk
Srinagar, Jan 28: The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, officially designated as National Highway 44, remained closed for vehicular traffic for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, with authorities citing extreme slipperiness despite ongoing snow clearance operations.
Officials said snow clearance was launched early in the morning with men and machinery deployed at multiple vulnerable points to restore connectivity. While brief sunshine was reported in the Banihal sector, overnight snowfall coupled with freezing temperatures left long stretches of the highway covered with ice, making vehicular movement unsafe.
Authorities said that even if snow is physically cleared from the road surface, the presence of black ice and compacted snow continues to pose a serious risk to motorists. “The road is extremely slippery. Vehicles may skid even after clearance, so traffic cannot be allowed at this stage,” an official said.
The highway remains closed as a precautionary measure, with officials stressing that safety assessments will determine any decision on reopening. Continuous monitoring is underway, particularly in avalanche and slide prone zones along the route.
Meanwhile, several other important roads across the region also remained closed due to snow accumulation. The historic Mughal Road, connecting south Kashmir with the Pir Panjal region, continued to be shut. Similarly, the Sinthan Pass and the Sonamarg–Ghumri stretch also remained closed for traffic.
Commuters have been advised to avoid travel on snowbound routes and wait for official clearance, as restoration efforts continue under challenging winter conditions. [KNT]
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