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| Civil traffic remain banned, only SF, vehicles with essentials to ply on highways | | | Early Times REport
Srinagar, June 3: Civil traffic remained banned due to restrictions imposed by the government on the highways in the Union Territories (UTs) of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, authorities have allowed vehicles will essentials and movement of security forces on the 270-km-long Srinagar-Jammu and national highway, the only road connecting Kashmir valley with Ladakh UT.
Meanwhile, people travelling between Srinagar and Jammu alleged that they are being harassed by the traffic and other officials at Jawahar tunnel and Banihal despite having valid permits to from district and divisional administration for travel.
A traffic police official said that on Wednesday only vehicles carrying essential commodities will be allowed to ply on Srinagar-Jammu national highway. No civil passenger vehicle will be allowed, he added.
People having emergency alleged that despite having valid pass issued by the divisional and district authorities, they are not being allowed to travel on the highway.
Umar Rashid, a bank employee who had come to Srinagar to celebrate Eid festival with his parents alleged that he was sent back from Banihal on May 28 by officials and police personnel. I was asked to get the COVID-19 test done in Srinagar before travelling to Jammu, he said adding it was only on June Ist, he was allowed to go towards Jammu after testing Negative.
A spokesperson said movement of security force convoy will continue on the highway subject to the condition of the road and weather. Security forces are advised to contact Traffic Control Units (TCUs) at Jammu, Srinagar and Ramban before starting the journey on the highway.
He said only essential commodity vehicles will be allowed to ply on the highway, the only road linking Kashmir valley with the rest of the country subject to fair weather and good road condition. No civil vehicle will be allowed, he said.
Meanwhile, the historic 86-km-long Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region remained closed due to accumulation of snow for the past six months. The road is seen as an alternative to Srinagar-Jammu national highway. Farmers and leaders of different political parties are demanding immediate reopening of the road to transport cherry and other fruits to other parts of the country, including Jammu.
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