SRINAGAR : The 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, linking the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, was closed yet again early this morning following fresh landslides during the night. About 600 vehicles are still stranded at different places on the highway after more than 400 vehicles, stranded for the past more than a week, were cleared till last night after the highway was put through yesterday afternoon. A traffic police official told UNI that highway remained closed after there were fresh landslides at different places, particularly in Ramsu and Ramban area during the night. The highway was reopened after four days yesterday afternoon and only vehicles, stranded for the past one week, at different places on this side of the Jawahar tunnel were allowed to move towards Jammu. He said the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for the maintenance of the highway, have already pressed into service men and machinery to clear the landslides. The authorities had announced to allow traffic from Jammu to Srinagar today. About 3,000 Kashmir-bound passengers, including women and children, are stranded at Jammu bus stand and other places for the past five days. There are more than 600 vehicles stranded at Gangroo, Peedah and Ramsu. However, when the road will be put through again, only stranded vehicles will be allowed to move before allowing fresh traffic from Jammu to Srinagar. Traffic, which was suspended in the last week of March, was resumed on the highway on April 2 afternoon but was again closed in the evening due to landslides. Meanwhile, hundreds of trucks loaded with essentials, including vegetables, are stranded at Jammu, Udhampur, Batote and other places for the past more than a week. The drivers alleged that they remained stranded as they were not being allowed to move towards Kashmir by the traffic police officials. ”There is no water and ration in the area where we are stranded,” the truckers said and alleged that traffic police personnel are allowing vehicles selectively. Meanwhile, passengers, including women and children, are stranded at Jammu bus stand for the past about one week. ”We have now no money to eat or hire a room,” the passengers said and demanded airlifting from Jammu to Srinagar. They said the government has failed to make any alternative arrangement for their stay at Jammu. The highway was closed initially for 24 hours in the afternoon of last Friday to allow BRO to undertake repair work so that vehicles could pass safely in the avalanche prone areas. However, heavy rains triggered fresh landslides at several places on the highway forcing authorities to suspend traffic on the highway. After working round the clock, the BRO put through the highway for one-way on March 31 afternoon before it was again closed next morning. (AGENCIES)
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