Kashmir highway reopens; stranded vehicles allowed first

Srinagar, Dec 27 (UNI) The 300-km Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the only surface link between the Kashmir valley and the rest of the country, has been thrown open for traffic today after remaining closed for two days due to landslides triggered by rains and snow.

A traffic official said the national highway-IA had been thrown open at around 1130 hrs after the road was cleared of landslides and shooting stones at Panthal, about 130 km from here.

He said about 3000 stranded vehicles, including those carrying passengers, were first allowed to move toward their respective destinations.

The official said, vehicles carrying essential commodities, were mainly allowed from Jammu to Srinagar in view of approaching Eid-ul-Zuha.

The NH-IA, the lifeline of the Kashmir valley, was closed since yesterday due to landslides and snowfall, mainly at Panthal.

The Border Road Organisation, responsible for maintenance of the highway, had pressed into service its men and machines to clear the road for vehicular traffic.

This was the fourth time in December that the highway had been closed due to landslides and shooting stones.

The closure of the highway has resulted in escalation of prices of essential commodities and shortage of LPG and other items.

UNI BAS PDM VC1535