Srinagar-Jammu national highway reopens after six days

Srinagar, Sep 6 (UNI) The 300-km Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the lifeline of Kashmir valley, has been cleared of landslides and reopened this afternoon, after remaining closed for six consecutive days, a traffic official said.

He said the highway has been opened one way and the traffic was allowed to proceed from Jammu to Srinagar this afternoon.

The official said all stranded vehicles were being allowed to move to their respective destinations. The traffic would be allowed from Srinagar to Jammu tomorrow, he added.

Many parts of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway up to Qazigund had been inundated with flood water. About 30 mt of road near Himgiri Nullah (Gangu Pass) between Ramsoo and Ramban was badly damaged due to landslides.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) men worked overtime to clear the highway of landslides and shooting stones.

Hundreds of passengers and vehicles stranded at several places along the highway were yesterday allowed to move towards Srinagar and Jammu.

However, the air traffic to and from the summer capital was normal. Their has been no disruption to air traffic despite heavy downpour and the flood situation in the Valley.

Due to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the Kashmir valley was facing acute shortage of essential commodities.

The 434-km Srinagar-Leh highway was also opened for light motor vehicles yesterday, four days after it was closed due to landslides at several places.

UNI AG SK MIR BST1719