Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Oct, 24: The advance party of annual Darbar Move, seat of the Union Territory (UT) government, on Saturday left for winter capital, Jammu as one-way traffic was resumed on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway after remaining suspended on Friday due to road maintenance.
The government has announced that traffic will remain suspended on every Friday from October 16 till ending November to allow different agencies to maintain the road.
Frequent closure of the highway, the only all weather road linking Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, evoked sharp reaction from political leaders and common people besides apple growers. Later, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha directed the agencies, working on the road widening and maintenance to ensure free movement of vehicular traffic on the highway.
''We have allowed traffic on the highway and on Saturday, vehicles will ply from Srinagar to Jammu'', a traffic police official told.
He said as announced earlier, no traffic was allowed on the highway yesterday to allow maintenance of the road.
Several vehicles, carrying advance party of Annual Darbar move to Jammu also left here this morning. However, they were asked to reach Qazigund, gateway of Kashmir, after 0900 hrs to avoid congestion and traffic jam on the highway.
Other Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) will have to cross Zig Qazigund between 1000 hrs and1400 hrs, he said, adding that no vehicle shall be allowed after cut off time.
He said Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs), carrying essentials were allowed to ply from Jakheni, Udhampur, towards Kashmir valley.
The commuters are advised to follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) as issued by the government to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
He said 86-km-long historic Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region and national highway, linking UT of Ladakh with Kashmir, are also through for traffic. |
