Srinagar: Jammu-Srinagar highway opened for stranded traffic after five days closure on Friday, officials said.
The arterial road, only surface connectivity of Kashmir with the outside world, remained closed for five days due to snowfall on either side of Jawahar tunnel besides landslides and mudslides at several places along the highway. “No new traffic was allowed on the highway,” the officials told GNS, adding, “Subject to fair weather and better road condition, only stranded vehicles between Udhampur and Banihal shall be allowed towards Srinagar.”
The highway was blocked due to snow, landslides, mudslides and shooting stones caused by heavy snowfall and rains since Sunday.
“After the light traffic is cleared, essential service vehicles and fuel and gas tankers were allowed to ply towards Srinagar,” the officials said.
The decision to throw open the thoroughfare for fresh traffic will be taken once all the stranded vehicles are cleared and the condition of the road is assessed, the official added.
Mughal road, connecting Shopian and Poonch districts, also remained closed. Srinagar-Leh highway has been officially closed on the orders by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir on December 30. (GNS)
