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

Srinagar, Jan 21: Only Jammu-bound vehicles, including those carrying passengers, stranded at various places on this side of Jawahar tunnel, including at Qazigund, were allowed to ply on the 300-km long national highway. However, no fresh vehicle was allowed from Srinagar or Jammu today on the national highway, the only road linking Kashmir valley with the rest of the country.

''There are still Jammu-bound vehicles, including those carrying passengers, stranded on the highway. We have decided to allow fresh traffic, only once all stranded vehicles are cleared,'' a traffic police official told UNI this morning. After clearing all Kashmir-bound vehicles till noon, the authorities allowed down convoy last afternoon. However, due to slippery road conditions in the evening, when the temperature went below the freezing point in this part of the state, traffic was again suspended to avoid any accident.

Only one-way traffic will be allowed on the highway till further orders, he said, adding the 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, the official added.