Srinagar, Nov 15 (UNI) The Ladakh region remained cut off from Kashmir valley for the fourth day on Thursday due to accumulation of snow and slippery road conditions while traffic on 86-km-long historic Mughal road remained suspended since Monday.
Hundreds of vehicles, including trucks loaded with essential commodities and oil tankers, left different parts of the Jammu region for Kashmir since early this morning. However, no traffic, including security force convoy, will be allowed from Srinagar to Jammu today, a traffic police official told UNI.
There is also a forecast for rain and snowfall besides avalanches during the next 24 hours in the Kashmir valley and Ladakh region, including highways and roads leading to far-flung and remote areas. He said people undertaking journey on the highway and other remote areas are requested to contact Traffic Control Units (TCUs) before starting their journey.
Traffic on the national highway, linking the Ladakh region with Kashmir, remained suspended since Monday afternoon following fresh snowfall and slippery road conditions. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for the maintenance of the highway, has already put into service sophisticated machine and men to clear the snow from the highway, particularly at Zojila, Meenmarg and Zero point. The road is very slippery due to below freezing temperature, particularly during the night.
Large number of Ladakh-bound vehicles, including trucks, are stranded at Sonamarg in the central Kashmir district of Ganderbal. Similarly, hundreds of vehicles, including empty trucks and oil tankers are stranded at Drass, Kargil and Meenmarg. The stranded passengers and truckers alleged that they are not being allowed to move towards their respective destinations. However, they said the district administration made arrangements for their stay and food.
Traffic police official said Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch, also remained closed due to snowfall. The road has been closed for traffic movement due to fresh snowfall and slippery road conditions. Though district administration from all sides have started snow clearance operation, but the road is slippery therefore traffic remained suspended as a precautionary measure.
'We will allow traffic only after getting green signal from the authorities,' he said.
Hundreds of vehicles, including trucks loaded with essential commodities and oil tankers, have left different parts of Jammu for Kashmir valley since this morning. However, no vehicles, including security force convoy, would be allowed from opposite direction, he said, adding that people are requested to contact Traffic Control Unit (TCU) before undertaking the journey on the highway.
UNI BAS SV 1022