Day 2: Highway Remains Closed

Srinagar: The 270-km-long Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir with rest of the world remained closed following landslides and shooting stones, triggered by incessant rain.

Official sources told GNS that the strategic thoroughfare remained shut for the second day on Wednesday due to landslides and shooting stone at Dalwas where a portion of road was washed away, Panthal, Monkey Morh, Maroog and Kunfer-Chanderkote. They said that men and machinery have been pressed into service to remove the debris.

However, they said, only stranded vehicles would be allowed to move towards their respective destinations before allowing fresh traffic on the thoroughfare. Hundreds of vehicles including trucks carrying essentials, oil and gas tankers besides passengers are stranded at at several places along the highway.

“In view of advisory issued by MeT Deptt for next 48 hours and blockade of Jammu-Srinagar highway at several places , tomorrow, subject to fair weather and clearance of road, only stranded vehicles between Jawahar Tunnel- Nashree shall be allowed to ply on the highway,” a traffic police department official in a communication here said.

“Security Forces are advised/requested to undertake journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW-44 only after confirming the status of road from SSP Traffic NHW Sh. J. S. Johar.”

Meanwhile, according to the communication, the 434-km-long national highway and the historic are through for one-way traffic despite rain.The 86-km-long Mughal road Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region has been open for only trucks and other load carriers loaded with fresh fruit.

“Road is open for downward traffic. Only Vehicles (load carriers) loaded with fresh fruits shall be allowed from Herpora (Shopian) from 1100 hrs to 1600 hours towards Poonch. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut of timings. Moreover, no passenger vehicle or pedestrian shall be allowed on Mughal Road,” it added (GNS).