Only stranded vehicles from Jammu to Srinagar allowed to move on Kashmir highway

SRINAGAR, Jan 20: No fresh vehicle will be allowed from Srinagar or Jammu today on the national highway, connecting the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, a traffic police official said this morning.
There are large number of Kashmir-bound vehicles, including those carrying passengers, stranded on the highway since yesterday, he said.
”We have decided to allow fresh traffic only once all stranded vehicles are cleared,” he said.
One-way traffic on the highway was resumed yesterday when vehicles from Jammu to Srinagar were allowed after remaining suspended for three days due to heavy snowfall and landslides.
However, there were fresh landslides at Pantiyal and Sheer Bibi and other areas between Ramban and Ramsu, forcing authorities to suspend traffic again on the highway, he said, adding the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for the maintenance of the highway, immediately pressed into service sophisticated machines and men and put the highway through again in the afternoon.
However, due to slippery road conditions in the evening when the temperature goes below freezing temperature, traffic was again suspended to avoid any accident.
There are large number of Kashmir-bound vehicles stranded on other side of the Jawahar tunnel, he said, adding it has been decided to allow stranded vehicles to move towards their respective destinations before fresh traffic is allowed on the highway.
People travelling from Jammu to Srinagar alleged that they were stopped at a place on the highway where there is no arrangement and even children had to remain without food.
Only one-way traffic will be allowed on the highway till further orders, he said, adding decision to resume traffic from both sides will be taken only after the weather and road conditions improve.
However, there is a forecast for heavy to very heavy snowfall during the next 48 hours in the region, including on the highway. (agencies)