| Operation on war-footing to restore traffic to far flung, remote areas in Kashmir | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Jan 16: Snow clearance operation was going on a war-footing on Thursday to restore traffic to dozens of far-flung and remote areas, including those near the Line of Control (LoC), which remain cutoff due to accumulation of snow.
Border towns of Keran, Karnah, Machil and dozens of far-flung and remote villages, including those near the Line of Control (LoC), remained cutoff the fifth successive day on Thursday in north Kashmir due to accumulation of several feet of snow.
Traffic on road leading to border town Gurez, which is surrounded by Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) from three sides, remained suspended for the past 16 days due to slippery road conditions and accumulation of several feet of snow.
''Snow clearance operation to restore traffic on Kupwara-Karnah, Kupwara-Machil and Kupwara-Keran roads was going on war-footing following improvement in the weather,'' an official of Police Control Room (PCR), Kupwara, said over phone on Thursday.
He said about four to five feet of snow has to be cleared on these roads before traffic could be restored to border towns of Karnah and Keran. ''If the weather remains dry, these border towns and their adjoining areas will be connected to district headquarters soon,'' he said.
However, he said resumption of traffic on Kupwara-Machil road will take more time as about 5 to 7 feet of snow has to be cleared before allowing vehicles.
People in these border areas allege hardships due to frequent suspension of traffic on the roads during winter. Traffic on Kupwara-Karnah and Kupwara-Machil was allowed to ply on Saturday after remaining closed for four days due to accumulation of snow. Border town of Keran was reconnected to the district headquarter on Friday after remaining closed for three days.
Razdan pass, connecting Gurez, Neeru and dozens of other areas near LoC with district headquarters Bandipora, remained closed due to accumulation of snow and fresh snowfall.
A police official told that fresh about 4 feet of snow occurred in the area since Saturday night. ''About 80 per cent of the road has been damaged and it is highly unlikely that these areas will be reconnected to district headquarters before March,'' he added.
The government has approved a tunnel at Razdan pass to make it an all weather road.
Officials said administration has stocked enough essentials, including rice, atta, sugar, LPG cylinders, medicine at areas which remained cut off during winter with their district and tehsil headquarters in both the district.
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