Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said significant progress has been made in restoring road connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar and Udhampur districts.
The National Highway-244 from Thathri to Kishtwar has reopened after landslides were cleared, while the Kishtwar–Chatroo–Sinthan Top road is expected to open soon following blasting operations to remove heavy rocks and boulders.
The Thathri–Kathawa road, which remained closed for a week, was also reopened, restoring connectivity to more than 15,000 people.
“The landslides and damages to NH-244 have been cleared and the road is now open for traffic. The Thathri–Kathawa road was opened after a week, providing much-needed connectivity to over 15,000 people,” Singh posted on X.
He added that the Indian Army has provided relief in Doda’s Bheja, Kutyara, and Sartingal villages—badly hit by adverse weather—by setting up footbridges and supplying rations, solar lights, and bedding.
Singh also said the PMGSY road leading to Bhed block was made motorable after 20 days, while the Bani–Basohli road is expected to reopen for LMVs by Saturday evening. “There is no dearth of essential commodities, and these are being made available in all areas,” he assured.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall over the past few days has caused widespread damage in Rajouri, where residents are struggling with damaged houses, sunken roads, and destroyed crops. Several rain-induced landslides have also blocked routes in the district.
“Over the past 5–6 days, we’ve toured the entire tehsil of Majakote. The house you’re seeing is completely damaged, and the road behind it is also sunken. As a result, all the water from the mountain has collected just behind this house, causing the damage,” social activist and Congress leader Farookh Khan told the news agency.
Separately, the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra remained suspended for the 12th consecutive day due to persistent adverse weather and frequent landslides along the pilgrimage route. Heavy rains in the Trikuta Hills have made the path unsafe for devotees.
