The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway is the lifeline of the Kashmir Valley. It’s the only all-weather link connecting the region to the rest of India and has carried the economic and social pulse of the valley for decades.

While two alternative routes, the Sinthan Road and the Mughal Road, exist, both remain closed during winter due to heavy snowfall, making the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway the sole supply corridor through which essential commodities reach Kashmir.

Last August, severe flash floods forced the highway to remain closed for 15 days. This caused a near standstill in life and trade. The closure resulted in significant economic losses, particularly for the horticulture sector, which relies heavily on timely transportation.

Trucks brimming with apples, pears and other fruits were stranded for days, resulting in significant financial losses for growers and traders.

In this challenging terrain, a local figure has become an invaluable source of information and reassurance for travellers: Tahir Ahmad Giri, better known as Tahir Banihali.

Tahir, a resident of Banihal, a town on the highway about 94km from Srinagar, has become a trusted voice for thousands who travel this route daily. His influence now reaches far beyond, boasting approximately 1.1 million Facebook followers and nearly 197,000 Instagram followers.

Initially working with a construction company, Tahir frequently travelled between Banihal and Ramban, another town on the highway, which has the most challenging stretch.

During these trips, he witnessed the constant hardships commuters faced. Landslides, shooting stones, and sudden weather changes caused long traffic jams. Drivers would often be stuck for hours with no clear idea of what lay ahead.

Tahir had an idea. Tahir began posting updates about road conditions on his personal Facebook profile. His updates were simple and grounded in first-hand observation. They quickly gained attention.

Travellers appreciated the accuracy and timeliness of his posts. Encouraged by the positive response, he eventually created a dedicated page under the name “National Highway Updates” to provide road users with reliable information about conditions.

Today, his live videos and posts are often the first source of information for passengers, truck drivers, and families planning journeys between Kashmir and Jammu.

During winter, when snow and landslides frequently disrupt traffic, people travelling to Jammu routinely check Tahir’s updates before finalising their plans.

For many, his word carries more weight than official bulletins because he reports directly from the ground.

“I receive many calls every day, and I try my best to respond to all of them. If a driver needs a Hydra or any recovery machine to pull out a stranded vehicle, I personally contact the operator and even travel with them to the exact spot,” Tahir says.

Despite his immense popularity, Tahir operates without any specialised equipment or official resources. He relies solely on his smartphone.

Whenever there is a landslide, traffic jam, or road damage, he reaches the location and goes live, showing viewers the exact situation. His real-time coverage allows drivers to make informed decisions.

“Tahir is our guide. Whenever we call him, he is available day or night, even in harsh weather. Before social media, we would get stuck without knowing what was ahead. Now, we check his updates first,” says Mohammad Amin, a cab driver.

“He gives us confidence, and his information helps us keep our passengers safe.”

Over time, Tahir has made another unexpected contribution. The mountainous terrain along the highway previously lacked clear names, making it difficult for travellers to pinpoint locations during emergencies.

To improve communication, Tahir started naming certain spots himself, such as “Chinar Point”. Remarkably, even traffic police and official advisories have adopted some of his names.

For truck drivers, especially those transporting perishable goods like fruits and vegetables, Tahir’s updates are invaluable. Timely delivery is critical in the horticulture trade, and delays can lead to spoilage and financial losses.

One truck driver explained that before Tahir’s page rose to prominence, they relied solely on official information, which sometimes lacked detailed, real-time updates. Now, they primarily follow his live updates and decide when to load their trucks and when to hold back.

“Earlier, before Tahir’s updates, we depended only on the official traffic plan. Now we mainly follow his live videos and then decide when to load our trucks. When we are carrying fruits or vegetables, timely delivery is very important,” says Omar, who plies his truck on this highway frequently.

“If a landslide happens, he shows us the exact situation live. If it’s major, we wait. If it’s minor, we move ahead. His updates save us from huge losses.”

In earlier times, if a landslide occurred, drivers would unknowingly drive toward it and end up stranded for hours or even days. There was no immediate way to assess the severity of the situation.

Now, Tahir’s live videos show the exact scale of a landslide, whether it is minor and likely to be cleared soon or major and potentially blocking the road for an extended period.

“This highway is our lifeline, and if I can help someone reach safely, that is my biggest satisfaction,” Tahir says.

Producer: Zafar Dar

Camera: Mir Musavir Shabir and Zafar Dar

Additional Shots: Muzamil Bashir