Work out long-term proposal to keep NH open: Azad

Srinagar, Mar 14 (UNI) Concerned over the frequent closure of the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today asked the authorities, responsible for maintenance of highway, to work out a long-term proposal so that the life line of the valley remained open.

Mr Azad, who was here after the air traffic was restored after two days, chaired a high-level meeting convened to take the stock of the situation in the wake of heavy snowfall.

The Beacon authorities, responsible for the highway maintenance, briefed Chief Minister about the status of the national highway which was closed for four days becuase of landslides and snowfall.

They said the road between Banihal and Penthal was affected due to landslides. However, rest of the highway was cleared, they added.

The Chief Engineer, Beacon, said with the improvement in the weather conditions, the highway will be thrown open to normal traffic soon.

However, Mr Azad, asked the Beacon authorities to take long-term measures to put a check on the recurrence of landslides and shooting stones at Penthal.

The Chief minister advised the people to pay due attention to the travel advisory issued by the traffic department while travelling on the highway.

UNI