Srinagar, Aug 31 (UNI) The 270-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, was again closed on Monday due to fresh landslides and shooting stones, triggered by heavy rains.
However, the national highway, linking Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh with Kashmir and historic 86-km-long Mughal road, seen as an alternative to Srinagar-Jammu highway, are through for vehicles carrying essentials.
We have suspended traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway on Monday due to fresh landslides and shooting stones at Penthyal and other places in Ramban, a traffic police official told UNI today.
He said all Kashmir bound vehicles, particularly carrying essentials, petrol and diesel besides LPG cylinder have been stopped at Udhampur, Chenani and other places. Similarly, vehicles, including empty trucks, oil tankers and carrying essentials have been stopped at Qazigund and other places on this side of the Jawahar tunnel.
He said once the shooting stone and landslides are stopped, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will start road clearance operation.
However, he said, traffic will be resumed only after a green signal is received from NHAI and traffic police personnel posted at different places.
Traffic was restored only recently after remaining suspended for four days due to landslides and shooting stones at several places.
UNI BAS RHK0911