Kashmir highway closed due to landslides, thousands stranded

Srinagar, Mar 11 (UNI) The 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway, lifeline to Kashmir, was today closed for traffic following landslides and shooting stones, triggered by heavy rains.

The fresh rains triggered landslides and shooting stones at Penthal, the most troubled spot on the highway, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Traffic Mohammad Amin Shah told UNI.

The authorities have allowed only one-way traffic on the highway for the past three months to avoid any risk. Today one-way traffic was allowed from Srinagar to Jammu.

The DIG said the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for the maintenance of the highway, have pressed into service sophisticated machine and men to clear the road linking the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country.

He also informed that as soon as the highway reopens, all the stranded vehicles will be allowed to move towards Jammu.

Official sources said about two thousand vehicles, which left Srinagar this morning, including those carrying passenger, are stranded on this side of the Penthal where big stones and mud slided from a hilltop.

The highway was closed for ten days after a major portion of it was totally washed away in the same area late last month.

UNI