RAMBAN/UDHAMPUR, AUGUST 31 (TKM) : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday carried out an extensive tour of Ramban and Udhampur districts to assess the widespread devastation caused by recent cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides and mudslides, which have severely disrupted life and damaged the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44).
At Maroge in Ramban, the Chief Minister inspected the severely damaged stretch of NH-44 and directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), BEACON and other executing agencies to restore this vital road link on a war footing.
He emphasized that the immediate priority must be to ensure smooth movement of traffic and uninterrupted supply of essentials to the Kashmir Valley.
Reviewing relief and rehabilitation efforts in Rajgarh, which was hit by a devastating cloudburst, the Chief Minister assured the affected families that adequate assistance will be provided under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF)..
He directed officials to ensure timely support for those in distress, while the Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Mohammad Alyas Khan, informed CM that immediate financial aid from the District Red Cross Fund has already been disbursed.
During his visit, Omar Abdullah also took stock of the availability of essential commodities, healthcare facilities, and critical services across the district. He instructed the administration to maintain availability of food supplies, clean drinking water, electricity, and medical care.
The Chief Minister was accompanied at Ramban by MLA Ramban Arjun Singh Raju, SSP Ramban Arun Gupta, ADC Varunjeet Singh Charak, and senior officers of NHAI, BEACON and the District Administration.
He assured the people of Ramban that the Government is committed to expediting restoration works and extending full support to the affected families.
Later, the Chief Minister visited the damaged portions of NH-44 at Bali Nallah and Thard in Udhampur district. He inspected the ongoing restoration works and instructed executing agencies to deploy additional men and machinery for speedy clearance of debris and repair of the highway.
Stressing that restoration of road connectivity is the Government’s top priority, Omar Abdullah asked the district administration to ensure that all possible measures are adopted to reopen the road at the earliest.
The Chief Minister, accompanied by MLA Chenani Balwant Singh Mankotia, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Saloni Rai, and senior officers of the district administration, reviewed in detail the clearance operations being carried out round the clock.
He emphasized that at least one tube of the highway must be opened urgently to facilitate the transportation of essential supplies to Kashmir and ease the hardships of the people.
During his interaction with the local residents at Bali Nallah and Thard, Omar Abdullah listened to their grievances and assured them of full government support. He directed the administration to immediately provide ration, clean drinking water, restore power supply, set-up temporary shelters and provide other assistance to families whose houses have been damaged. He stressed that the first priority is the safe relocation of affected families from vulnerable areas, followed by a comprehensive rehabilitation programme once connectivity is restored.
Highlighting the critical importance of the highway, the Chief Minister noted that NH-44 has suffered unprecedented damage in both Ramban and Udhampur districts, causing severe disruption to traffic and supplies.
He assured that every possible effort is being made to expedite restoration works and minimize public hardship.(TKM)
