Passenger traffic resumes on Kashmir highway

Srinagar, Jan 7 (UNI) Two-way passenger traffic was resumed on the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu National Highway today after remaining suspended since January 5 evening, as authorities used salt to defreeze the frozen portion of the road at some places.

''Yes, we have resumed the passenger traffic from this side after receiving green single from the highway,'' a traffic police official told UNI.

He said no heavy vehicles, particuarly trucks, will be allowed till the passenger vehicles cross the danger area.

Traffic on the highway, only road linking the Kashmir valley, was suspended on January 5 evening after the road strip at Shatan Nullah became slippery. However, yesterday the road remained closed due to heavy snowfall between Jawahar tunnel, the highest point on the highway and Banihal and rains in Ramban and Ramsu area.

The stranded vehicles between the Jawhar tunnel to Ramsu were allowed to proceed toward Srinagar last evening after the Border Roads Organisation (BRP), responsible for the maintainance of the highway, cleared the snow after pressing into service sophisticated snow clearance machines and men.

However, this morning because the major portion of the road near Shatan Nullah was frozen due to minus temperature, it was decided to use salt to defreeze it before allowing normal traffic.

Official sources said becuase the road had become slippery, it was decided to allow traffic only after the frozen parts got defreezed and became safe for journey.

A large number of trucks, loaded with essential commodities from Jammu and fruits from here are stranded on either side of the highway.

UNI BAS GT GC1230