Temporary suspension ordered at two locations in north Kashmir for hill cutting work amid landslide risks
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the Baramulla-Uri National Highway in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district will remain temporarily closed on January 11, 2026, from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm to facilitate hill cutting operations and due to potential landslide hazards.
The closure will affect two specific points: Danakha Mode at Design Chainage 65+600 and near the NS Bridge in Uri at Design Chainage 102+800. The order, issued by the Additional District Magistrate Baramulla, follows a request from the Officer Commanding of 53 RCC (GREF), who highlighted scheduled hill cutting work at these sites posing risks to commuters.
The directive notes that minor landslides have occurred recently on the stretch, necessitating temporary traffic restrictions for public safety. Commuters are advised to avoid unnecessary travel during the specified hours and to adhere to traffic advisories from authorities.
The Baramulla-Uri road, part of the broader Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri National Highway (NH-1), serves as a vital link connecting the Kashmir Valley to the border town of Uri near the Line of Control. The highway has faced repeated disruptions in early January 2026 due to landslides triggered by ongoing road widening and hill-cutting activities under the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and related agencies. Recent incidents, including multiple slides in the past 20 days near areas like Eco Park, have forced diversions through alternate routes such as Khadniyar-Gantamulla, causing significant inconvenience to residents, transporters, and essential services.
This planned closure aligns with efforts to advance infrastructure development on the strategic route while addressing safety concerns in a geologically sensitive mountainous terrain prone to instability during construction. The NS Bridge, a key structure in Uri, has been part of recent rehabilitation works following historical damage.
No alternative routes are specified in the order, though past disruptions have relied on secondary links. Authorities emphasise that such measures prevent accidents amid heightened activity on the highway, which remains crucial for civilian movement, military logistics, and regional connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir. Residents in Baramulla, Uri, and surrounding areas are urged to plan travel accordingly.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
