NH closed for 5th day, 1800 trucks carrying essential supplies stranded

TNN Bureau. Updated: 4/1/2020 10:30:52 AM Front Page

Chief Secy asks NHAI to expedite restoration works

JAMMU: The 270-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which connects Kashmir with the rest of the country, remained closed for the fifth successive day on Tuesday, even as Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam directed the National Highway authorities to put in more men and machinery so that road clearance work is expedited and the stretch is opened for vehicular traffic at the earliest.
Over 1800 vehicles carrying essential commodities to the Valley and those returning remain stranded on the arterial road due to multiple landslides.
"Due to multiple landslides and threat of further landslides, the highway remained closed for the fifth day today," an official said.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is working to clear the highway and make it motorable but rainfall and movement of rocks from adjacent hills have made the task difficult, the officials said.
They said it would take some more time to clear the portion of the highway near the Battery Chasma area in Ramban district.
Traffic was suspended on the highway on Friday afternoon following multiple landslides at Cafeteria Morh, Monkey Morh, Ramban, Battery Chasma, Panyal Morh, Panthyal, Mompassi, Digdol, Sherbibi and Hingni areas.
Although the highway is closed to the public due to the nationwide lockdown to combat coronavirus, trucks ferrying essential commodities to the Valley were allowed to ply, the officials said.
Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam chaired a meeting to review status of restoration and repair works on National Highway.
Regional Officer NHAI, J&K, briefed the Chief Secretary about status of restoration and repair works going on to clear the damaged stretch of 400 meters. He informed that men and machinery is on job to clear the stretch but because of prevailing weather, the work could not be expedited.
IGP Traffic apprised the meeting that around 1800 trucks have been stranded on both the sides of National Highway due to the road blockade.
Chief Secretary directed the National Highway authorities to put in more men and machinery so that road clearance work is expedited and the stretch is opened for vehicular traffic at the earliest.
With regard to opening of Mughal Road for traffic and ongoing snow clearance works, Commissioner Secretary, PWD(R&B) informed the meeting that the snow cutting machines and other machinery has been put on task and soon the road will be cleared for movement of vehicular traffic.
Chief Secretary stressed on completion of snow clearance operations so that Mughal Road can be used as alternate road to supply essentials to Kashmir valley keeping in view of regular blockade of National Highway due to landslides and other natural causes.


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