Despite wet weather, Kashmir highway through for traffic; Mughal road remains shut

FIle Pic

SRINAGAR : Despite intermittent rain and snow, the 270-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway, connecting Kashmir valley with rest of the country, was through for one-way traffic on Wednesday.
However, historic 86-km-long Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region, remained closed since Monday morning following slippery road conditions due to accumulation of snow.
“One-way traffic from Srinagar to Jammu was plying normally even as intermittent rain and snow continued at various areas along the highway since yesterday,” a traffic police official said.
He said Jawahar Tunnel and its adjoining areas received heavy snowfall last night. However, he said the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for the maintenance of the highway, immediately pressed into service sophisticated machines and put through the road for traffic.
He said the historic Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region, remained closed for traffic for the third day due to accumulation of snow. Traffic on the road was recently restored after remaining suspended for four days due to snowfall.
“The road, seen as alternative to Srinagar-Jammu highway, remained closed due to slippery conditions because of fresh snowfall since Monday,” he said.
The road was being used to transport fresh fruit from Kashmir valley to different mandis, including in Jammu after frequent closure of the highway this summer.
Traffic will be resumed only after weather improves and a green signal is received from traffic police civil administration official posted at different places on the road, which remains closed for about six winter months due to heavy snowfall.
(agencies)