Jammu — As lakhs of pilgrims prepare to undertake the spiritually profound and physically demanding Amarnath Yatra, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has swapped its hard hats for holy hats—conducting a high-level virtual review meeting to ensure every hairpin turn on NH-44 is as divine as the destination itself.
The 228-kilometre Jammu–Srinagar section of NH-44, which lies at the heart of the pilgrimage route, was the central focus of the meeting. From potholes to pilgrims, nothing was left off the table. NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav led the video conferencing session with the precision of a road engineer and the zeal of a yatra organizer.
Also present were Alok Deepankar (Member Technical, NHAI), Bhupinder Kumar (Secretary, PWD, J&K), Shokit Mattoo (ACR Ramban), and teams from NHAI’s Jammu and Kashmir field offices—each bringing maps, checklists, and what one can only hope was a very large thermos of kahwa.
The discussions revolved around ensuring a smooth riding surface, prominent lane markings (because no one wants a divine detour), and the deployment of Quick Response Teams—armed not with divine intervention, but with JCBs, grit, and Google Maps.
“Pilgrims deserve peace, not potholes,” quipped Yadav, underscoring the need for coordination with local administration to ensure an uninterrupted and safe yatra experience, even under unpredictable Himalayan skies.
Member (Technical), Alok Deepankar, meanwhile, emphasized swift action on weather-related woes—flash floods, landslides, and the occasional road-hugging boulder that refuses to move. “Quick Response Teams must be quicker than the weather apps,” he declared.
In a gesture that brought both symbolism and support, NHAI also contributed five fully-equipped ambulances, handed over via Quazigund Expressway Pvt. Ltd., to hospitals in Ramban and Anantnag. The ambulances were flagged off by none other than Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha, in what can best be described as a ribbon-cutting moment with an engine rev.
The review concluded with a shared vow: to make this year’s Amarnath Yatra less about dodging road hazards and more about embracing the journey—both spiritual and scenic.
Because when it comes to divine travel, even the gods would prefer well-marked lanes and no speed bumps.
