Jammu-Srinagar highway closed for vehicular traffic

Jammu, Feb 26 (PTI) The Jammu-Srinagar NationalHighway, connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest ofthe country, was today closed for vehicular traffic followingheavy snowfall and rains.

"The highway is closed for traffic due to heavysnowfall at Jawahar Tunnel, Banihal and Patnitop areasresulting in blockade," police said.

This is the second time that the 294-km-long highway,the only surface link between the Valley and the rest of thecountry, has been closed in as many days.

The highway was closed for vehicular traffic onThursday and was reopened yesterday.

As result of the closing of the highway today, over300 vehicles, including 70 passenger vehicles, were strandedat various points of the highway, they said.

Police said Border Road Organisation men are workingto clear the snow from the highway.

Rajouri-Poonch highway was also blocked due toheavy snowfall at der-ki-Gali area and efforts are on to clearthe snow, they said.

The 294-km road, which often gets closed duringwinter, is the only route used for bringing in goods supplies,fuel and other necessary items to the Valley.