Early Times Report
Srinagar, Dec 17: One-way traffic on 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway, connecting the Union Territory of Ladakh with Kashmir valley, was on Thursday restored after remaining closed for nine days due to accumulation of several feet of snow.
Meanwhile, Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) will ply from Jammu to Srinagar on 270-km-long national highway, connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the country.
However, the historic 86-km-long Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region, remained shut for the tenth day on Thursday due to slippery road conditions and accumulation of snow though weather has witnessed improvement.
“One-way traffic from Kargil to Srinagar was allowed to ply after remaining closed for nine days due to accumulation of several feet of snow,” a traffic police official said.
He said traffic was restored for few hours on the highway on Wednesday through only security force vehicles were allowed.
However, he said traffic was again suspended due to snow avalanche at Dayal Zojila.
He said Border Roads Organisation, responsible for the maintenance of the highway, pressed into service sophisticated machines and men and cleared the avalanche.
He said LMVs from Minamarg followed by Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) would be allowed between 0900 hrs and 1400 hrs on Thursday. “No vehicle will be allowed after cut off timing,” he said, adding drivers have been advised to carry anti-skid chain to gain more grip on the slippery road.
“No vehicle will be allowed from Gagangir towards Sonamarg between 1800 hrs to 0900 hrs due to slippery conditions on road,” he added.
He said LMVs will have to cross Nagrota (Jammu) between 0500 hrs and 1200 hrs and from Jakheni (Udhampur) between 0600 hrs and 1300 hrs on Kashmir highway. “HMVs shall be allowed from Jakheni (Udhampur) towards Srinagar,” he said, adding no vehicle will be allowed after the cut off timing.
Snow on Mughal road, particularly between both sides of the Pir-ki-Gali, remained frozen due to below freezing temperature during the night. Snow clearance operation has been launched but traffic could not be restored so far, he said.
The road, which is seen as alternative to Srinagar-Jammu highway, remains shut during winter months due to heavy snowfall.
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