Kashmir highway through despite rain, Ladakh remains closed

SRINAGAR : The 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway, connecting the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country was through for traffic with some restrictions despite rain.
However, the national highway, linking the Ladakh region with the Kashmir valley and historic Mughal and Synthan-Kishtwar roads remained closed since December last year due to accumulation of snow and slippery road conditions.
A traffic police official said that Kashmir highway was through and vehicles were plying from both ways though some restrictions have been imposed to avoid any traffic jam or accident.
He said all Kashmir bound passenger vehicles from Jammu will be allowed to move only between 0600 hrs to 1300 hrs while heavy vehicles, including those carrying essentials, will be permitted only between 0630 hrs to 1130 hrs.
However, the movement of oil tankers shall be allowed upto 1300 hrs, he said adding no Srinagar bound passenger vehicle and oil tanker will be permitted to cross Udhampur (Jekhani Chowk) after 1430 hrs and no heavy vehicle will be permitted after 1330 hrs.
Similarly, Jammu bound light motor vehicles shall be permitted to move towards Jammu from Qazigund only between 0830 hrs to 1600 hrs while heavy vehicles shall be permitted only between 0900 hrs to 1400 hrs.
He said the national highway connecting Ladakh with Kashmir remained closed since December last year due to snow and slippery road conditions.
However, the Drass-Kargil-Leh portion of the highway was through for traffic.
There is several feet of snow accumulated at Zojila pass, Sonmarg, Meenmarg and India gate following which traffic remained suspended on Kargil-Srinagar portion of the highway.
However, the central government has already approved construction of a tunnel at Zojila to make Srinagar-Leh highway all weather road.
The historic Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region also remained closed due to accumulation of heavy snow.
The 86-km-long Bandipora-Gurez road and Synthan-Kishtwar road also remained closed since December last year due to snow. (AGENCIES)

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