One-way traffic to continue on Kashmir highway, HMVs to ply after 1300 hrs

Srinagar, Jan 10: Only Light Motor Vehicles (LMV) were allowed from Jammu in the morning on Thursday while Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) traffic will ply from 1300 hrs as only one-way traffic would continue on the highway, linking the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country.

Meanwhile, a traffic police official said the national highway, the only road connecting Ladakh region with Kashmir and historic 86-km-long Mughal road remained closed for the past over a month due to accumulation of snow which has now frozen.

To avoid traffic jam and accident in view of the road widening and frequent landslides, the authorities have decided to regulate LMV and HMV traffic on the highway, official told TNN.

He said accordingly, LMV traffic will be allowed in the morning while HMVs in the afternoon as per schedule as only one-way traffic will continue till further orders. No vehicle , including security force convoy, would be allowed from opposite direction.

Today hundreds of vehicles left Jammu for Kashmir from 055 hrs till 1200 hrs. However, these LMV vehicles had to cross Udhampur by 1330 hrs.

Similarly, HMVs will be allowed from Udhampur from 1300 hrs till 1900 hrs, he said, adding no HMV and HMV will be allowed after the deadline. Meanwhile, hundreds of vehicles, including those carrying essentials and oil tankers, for Kashmir have been stopped at Udhampur only to be allowed after 1300 hrs.

However, he said, people undertaking the journey on the highway are requested to contact Traffic Control Units (TCUs) set up at Srinagar, Jammu, Ramban and other places.

Meanwhile, there is no possibility of early resumption of traffic on the highway, linking Ladakh with Kashmir and Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region.

The authorities have already approved construction of tunnels to make these roads all weather road.