Hundreds stranded as Srinagar-Jammu NH remains closed for 2nd day

Hundreds of tourists remained stranded in Kashmir on Wednesday as the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the only all-weather road linking the valley with the rest of the country, continued to remain closed for the second consecutive day. The closure, caused by heavy snowfall on Tuesday, has left travellers stuck and struggling to make alternate arrangements.
“I have been stuck here for the last two days. We had come here to enjoy snow, but it is this snow that has become our punishment,” said Kailash, a tourist from Rajasthan. He urged authorities to clear the road “anyhow” so that stranded tourists could return home, adding that flight cancellations and inflated fares, now ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹25,000, have further added to their distress.Another tourist, Mohit Sharma, expressed frustration over the lack of movement despite improved weather conditions. “They are not allowing traffic even after the weather has improved. It is causing us many hardships. We are forced to spend more than our budget. People who are stranded with nowhere to go should be allowed to leave,” he said.While many tourists voiced their grievances, some found a silver lining in the situation. Shipra Bharadwaj, a Delhi University professor on her fourth visit to the valley, described her experience positively. “I won’t say that I am stuck. I do not feel that I am stuck. Not everyone is fortunate to witness snowfall like this. This time, during Chilla-i-Kalan, I experienced snow falling over my head — I am fortunate,” she said.
The snowfall on Tuesday also led to the suspension of flight operations at Srinagar airport. Although flights resumed on Wednesday with the improvement in weather, the highway remained closed due to snow accumulation and slippery road conditions.Authorities from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and local administration are making concerted efforts to reopen the highway. Snow clearance operations are underway, with personnel sprinkling salt and urea to improve road grip and ensure safe driving as frosty conditions persist along parts of NH-44.Officials have urged travellers to exercise patience and warned drivers to avoid taking the road until conditions are declared safe, as clearance and safety measures continue.