SRINAGAR: Security force convoy will ply on the national highway, the only road connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, during the first half of Sunday and passenger Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) in the afternoon from Srinagar to Jammu.
Meanwhile, a JCB driver was killed due to landslide at Cafeteria Mode in Ramban area on the highway, official sources said.
The historic 86-km-long Mughal and Anantnag-Kishtwar roads, besides the national highway, the only road linking Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh with Kashmir, also remained closed for the past 19 days on Sunday due to accumulation of snow and slippery road conditions.
Due to continued closure of the Srinagar-Leh national highway, people in Kargil are facing shortage of essentials, particularly fresh vegetables.
There was a landslide at Cafeteria Mode late Saturday night when road widening work was in progress, sources said this morning. A JCB driver identified as Chain Singh was killed after hit by landslide, they added.
Sources said only security force vehicles will ply on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway on Sunday, when no private vehicle will be allowed to move. However, passenger LMVs from Srinagar to Jammu will be allowed in the afternoon, they said.
The central government has recently announced withdrawal of security forces rushed here to maintain law and order a week before the Centre scrapped Article 370 and 35 A on August 5.
It has been decided to allow LMVs carrying passengers from Srinagar to Jammu in the afternoon. No vehicle will be allowed from opposite direction.
Only one-way traffic will continue to ply on the highway till further orders to avoid traffic jam and accidents as road at several places is very narrow where only one vehicle can pass at a time. He appealed to people to strictly follow the advisory being issued daily by the traffic department.
They urged people to contact Traffic Control Units (TCUs) at Srinagar, Jammu and Ramban before starting journey on the highway.
Meanwhile, due to frequent suspension of traffic on the highway, people in the Kashmir valley are facing acute shortage of essentials, particularly fresh vegetables and LPGs.
The prices of almost all essentials has increased several fold. Chicken which was being sold at Rs 85 to 95 per kgs early this month, now costs Rs 160 to Rs 170. Similarly, meat costs Rs 550 to Rs 600 per kg.
Meanwhile, Director Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) said LPG cylinders are available for 10 to 12 days in the Kashmir valley. He said about 200 empty LPG tankers are stranded on this side of the Jawhar tunnel. Similarly, Kashmir-bound 150 LPG tankers are stranded on other side of the tunnel. We have taken up the matter with the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and sought his intervention, he said.
The 434-km-long national highway, the only road connecting Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh with Kashmir, also remained closed for the past 19 days due to accumulation of snow and slippery road conditions.
People at Kargil alleged that they are facing acute shortage of essentials, particularly fresh vegetables. They said despite assurance by the authorities that highway will remain open throughout the year, it has been closed a month before the actual date, leading to shortage of essentials in Kargil. They said essentials are airlifted to Leh from Jammu and Srinagar and other parts of the country.
The historic Mughal road, linking Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region remained closed for the past 19 days on Sunday due to accumulation of snowfall and slippery road conditions. (agencies)
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