No traffic on Leh, Mughal roads for 5th day, Kashmir highway open for one way

Srinagar, Nov 16: Traffic remained suspended on the national highway, connecting Ladakh region with Kashmir and historic Mughal road for the fifth day on Friday due to accumulation of snow and slippery road conditions.

Hundreds of vehicles, including trucks loaded with fruit, empty oil tankers, left different parts of the Kashmir valley for Jammu since early this morning. However, no traffic, including security force convoy, would be allowed from opposite direction, a traffic police official told TNN.

He said people undertaking journey on the Kashmir highway and other remote areas are requested to contact Traffic Control Units (TCUs) before starting their journey.

There is also a fresh avalanche warning in the Kashmir valley, where light rain or snow is predicted today.

Traffic official said that the national highway, linking the Ladakh region with Kashmir, remained closed since Monday afternoon following 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 still very slippery due to below freezing temperature, particularly during the night. There were also fresh avalanches, particularly in Zojila area.

Large number of Ladakh-bound vehicles, including trucks, remained stranded at Sonamarg in 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.

A rescue team, headed by a senior police officer, had a narrow escape after a couple of snow avalanches at Zojila when they were trying to clear the snow.

Traffic police official said Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch, also remained closed due to snowfall and slippery road conditions. 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.