Jammu-Srinagar NH restored
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, July 20: Long traffic jams along Old Samba-Kathua Road after the diversion of traffic from Jammu-Pathankote National Highway following damage caused to Tarnah bridge due to flash flood yesterday, has troubled thousands of commuters and people of the area, while smooth traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was restored today.
After extensive damage caused to Tarnah bridge near Dayalachak due to flash flood in the river on Wednesday morning, the entire traffic of Jammu-Pathankote National Highway has been diverted to Old Samba-Kathua Road. Long traffic jams have been witnessed on this entire border road stretch. Some vehicles and even ambulances remained trapped in long traffic jams for hours together today. The police is facing tough time in managing traffic from Chadwal Morh to Sanjimorh, Chakra, Jangi Chak, Hiranagar, Londi, Rajpura sections of Old Samba- Kathua road.
An official spokesman said that there were no chances of restoration of Tarnah bridge in couple of days or few weeks ahead, moreover, the old bridge over river Tarnah at the same place has also been almost dismantled by the National Highway authorities for constructing a new bridge, which would be part of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. No alternative was kept by the NHAI at this place in case of any emergency.
Interestingly, hardly 12 years old bridge got damaged reportedly due to the `negligence’ of the agencies concerned but top officials at the helm of affairs or the UT administration have initiated no inquiry into the matter.
Meanwhile, an official spokesman said that normal traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has also been restored. He said Shri Amarnathji Yatra vehicles were allowed to move from both sides while all the stranded goods carriers from Kashmir and Jammu side were cleared during last night and today morning. All the heavy, medium and light motor vehicles including goods and passengers were moving smoothly along this highway today from Jammu and Srinagar side, he added.
Meanwhile, Basohli-Bani road which was blocked at eight places due to land slides and falling of bounders yesterday, was restored by the GREF authorities today. The power supply was also hit in many areas of Bani Sub Division and it was also almost restored. The Bani-Bhaderwah road was, however, yet to be cleared.
Meanwhile, Sub Divisional administration Bani disbursed Rs 50,000 ex-gratia/ relief among the families of eight persons who lost their lives in landslides and house collapse incidents in Bani area on Wednesday.
Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rakesh Minhas paid visit to Bani town and reviewed the situation today. DC alongwith, ACR Kathua and SDM Bani besides DDC Members and officials of R&B, PMGSY and GREF and others reached Bani town today and took stock of relief and restoration works. He also visited Bani Hospital where he inspected the medical facilities and arrangements put in place to cater healthcare exigencies. He also interacted with the injured persons and enquired about their health.
While inspecting Bani-Sandroon Road, DC directed executing agencies PMGSY and GREF to expedite restoration work of the road. He also visited Bani-Duggan road and asked R&B staff to clear the road immediately.
Later, he interacted with the PRI members of Bani area and local people and listened their grievances and issues. He assured them to resolve their issues to mitigate their sufferings.
The administration disbursed Rs 50,000 ex-gratia/relief for those killed and Rs 25,000 to the in jured in the natural calamity in Bani.
It is pertinent to mention here that due to landslides a Kucha house of one Mushtaq Ahmed collapsed at village Surjan where five members of a family were buried alive. A police team, assisted by SDRF and Army jawans from the local unit launched rescue operation. After long and hectic efforts all the five dead bodies including a woman and four children were recovered.
Three more persons including Sham Lal of Bhullari village, Ajay Singh (13) of Sitti village and Naseem Begum (50), hailing from Madhota were also killed in similar incidents yesterday in Bani area.
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