What really powers the cloud? Behind every Google search, A...
A lot of what defines a home isn’t visible at handover. I...
Private equity has played a significant role in shaping Indi...
Luxury real estate is one of the most talked-about segments ...
Airports play a much bigger role than just enabling travel -...
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has cleared massive boulders from the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway through a controlled blasting operation, restoring traffic on one of India's most vital transport corridors. The exercise was undertaken after heavy rainfall triggered landslides that blocked sections of the highway with large rock formations. The timely clearance is expected to improve connectivity, facilitate the movement of passengers and goods, and ensure safer travel along the strategic route linking the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has successfully removed massive boulders that obstructed the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway by carrying out a carefully planned controlled blasting operation. The clearance has helped restore traffic movement on the strategically important highway after landslides disrupted connectivity following heavy rainfall.
Large rockfalls had blocked sections of the highway, making it unsafe for commuters and preventing the movement of passenger vehicles and freight traffic. Owing to the size and positioning of the boulders, conventional excavation equipment alone was not sufficient to clear the obstruction. NHAI therefore adopted controlled blasting to safely fragment the rocks before removing the debris with heavy machinery.
The operation was executed under the supervision of technical experts, with strict safety measures implemented throughout the process. Traffic was regulated during the clearance work to minimise risks, and the affected stretch was reopened after authorities confirmed that it was safe for vehicular movement.
The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway is the primary road link connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country. The corridor is critical for passenger travel, movement of essential commodities, defence logistics and commercial transport. Any prolonged disruption on the highway can significantly affect supply chains and daily mobility across the region.
Every monsoon season, landslides, falling rocks and slope instability pose recurring challenges along several stretches of the highway due to the difficult mountainous terrain. NHAI maintains emergency response teams and specialised equipment at vulnerable locations to ensure that blockages are cleared quickly and traffic disruption is kept to a minimum.
Controlled blasting is generally used only when large rock formations cannot be safely removed through mechanical means. The process involves careful assessment of the site, precise placement of explosives and continuous monitoring to prevent damage to surrounding infrastructure and minimise the risk of secondary landslides.
The latest operation highlights the importance of rapid response and specialised engineering techniques in maintaining critical transport infrastructure in mountainous regions. As weather-related disruptions continue during the monsoon, NHAI is expected to remain on high alert to ensure uninterrupted connectivity and improve the resilience of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway.