J&K Floods: 12,000 km of Roads Damaged by Rains and Landslides

rapid Summary

• Event: Floods and landslides in Jammu & Kashmir have damaged 12,000 km of road infrastructure, including the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH 44).
• Affected Stretch: Restoration work is underway on the Udhampur-Ramban stretch and expected to be completed by evening.
• Road Network Data: Out of a total road length of 42,000 km in J&K, approximately 12,000 km was affected.
• Bridge Damage: Of 105 bridges on NH44, three were damaged but have now been restored; the Seri-Kath Bridge collapse at Kathua is under investigation for structural issues despite recent construction.
• Restoration Status:

– Major roads like Rajouri-Thannamandi road and Reasi-Arnas-Mahore have been restored.- Work on blocked stretches such as Budhal-Mahore-Gul Road aims for completion within a week.
– Temporary restoration has been completed on other roads like Kishtwar-Chastoi and Doda-Kishtwar.

• Action Taken:

– Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary emphasized strict timelines for restoration and audits to ensure structural safety.
– NHAI directed to cooperate with agencies for quicker rehabilitation while initiating penalties or blacklisting non-compliant contractors.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The extensive damage caused by floods in Jammu & Kashmir underscores the vulnerability of mountainous regions’ infrastructure during extreme weather events. The immediate restoration of roads and bridges reflects an urgent prioritization due to their strategic importance-both economically and logistically-as lifelines connecting remote areas.

The scrutiny directed at structural integrity highlights concerns around bridge design standards amid rapidly changing environmental conditions.The directive for scientific audits signals a commitment toward long-term sustainability while addressing ecological fragility in these regions.

Additionally, robust coordination among agencies appears pivotal for timely repairs given widespread disruptions across critical routes like NH44. Monitoring contractor accountability could set crucial precedents regarding execution quality-a necessary step toward safeguarding future infrastructure developments from similar calamities.

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