Uri, Mar 22: The strategic Uri-Baramulla National Highway (NH-1), the only all-weather road connecting the border town of Uri to the rest of the valley, was blocked on Sunday following a massive landslide, officials said.
Eyewitnesses said a large portion of a hillock collapsed onto the carriageway, burying the road under heavy debris and bringing traffic to a grinding halt.
Officials said men and machinery were rushed to the spot to clear the debris. No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.
The blockade, however, reignited public grievances over infrastructure safety and administrative oversight. Stranded commuters alleged that frequent landslides on the stretch were a result of poor planning and neglect.
“When landslides occur regularly on this highway, people may soon fear leaving their homes,” said a commuter stranded in the resulting traffic jam, urging the administration to address the issue.
Another local expressed relief that the incident occurred during daylight, warning that a nighttime collapse could have led to casualties.
A senior official attributed the incident to extensive construction work related to highway widening. “Landslides are common during road construction in hilly areas. However, we are trying our best to minimize such occurrences and ensure an immediate response,” the official said.
He added that efforts were being made to ensure earth-cutting was conducted scientifically to mitigate risks and that strict action would be taken against any illegal activity. Authorities are continuously monitoring the highway work to prevent such incidents and ensure smooth traffic flow, he added. (KNS)
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