SRINAGAR: Civilian traffic was resumed on Tuesday on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir valley with the rest of the country after remaining suspended on Monday, when only security forces were allowed to ply.
However, due to fresh landslides at Chanderkote this morning, heavy traffic jam was witnessed on the highway between Qazigund to Ramban.
Meanwhile, the historic 86-km-long Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region remained closed since November 6 due to accumulation of snow and slippery conditions.
A traffic police official told UNI this morning that civilian traffic was allowed to ply on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway today. However, Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) will ply from both sides while Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) from Srinagar to Jammu only, he said.
He said no HMV will be allowed from opposite direction. LMVs will have to cross Qazigund between 0800 hrs to 1200 hrs and HMVs from 1300 hrs to 2000 hrs, he said, adding that no vehicle will be allowed after the deadline.
Only security force vehicles were allowed to ply on the highway on Monday.
Official sources said that there was a fresh landslide at Chanderkote. However, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)immediately put into service sophisticated machines and men to put through the highway. Traffic was restored after about three hours, they said adding this led to heavy traffic jam on both sides of the road at Chanderkote.
The highway remains shut frequently due to landslides and shooting stones throughout the year, resulting in shortage and price rise of essentials in the Kashmir valley, which is entirely dependent upon imports from different parts of the country. (AGENCIES)
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