Traffic on Kashmir highway affected due to slippery conditions

Srinagar, Feb 13 (UNI) Slippery road conditions disrupted traffic on the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway for several hours in the morning.

Traffic from Jammu to Srinagar was allowed this morning on the highway, the only road linking Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, a traffic police official said here.

He said only one-way traffic will ply on the highway to avoid any traffic jam and accident.

Hundreds of vehicles, including trucks loaded with essential commodities and passengers are on way to Srinagar from Jammu, he said adding that no vehicle was allowed from here.

He said due to slippery raod conditions at Patnitop, Shaitan Nullah, Jawahar tunnel and Banihal and below freezing temperature, traffic was stopped for safety reasons. Landslides and snow on the highway has been cleared. However, in the morning a major portion got frozen and drivers found it very difficult to drive.

However, the frozen portion melts as the day progresses.

The road remained closed for six days last week after more than seven feet of snowfall in the tunnel area and landslides, triggered by rains at Penthal, the most troubled spot on the highway.

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