SRINAGAR : The National Highway, connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, remained closed since yesterday afternoon to allow repair of road, damaged due to landslides and collapse of a hill due to heavy rains. Due to heavy rain and snowfall, a portion of hill near Udhampur collapsed and there were major landslides between Ramban and Ramsu sector, causing damage to the highway. However, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) pressed into service sophisticated machines and men to work to make one-way road at avalanche-prone areas. Due to damage to road, only one-way traffic is allowed for the past about three months on the highway, which often remained closed for traffic.
The BRO has launched major repair of the road since yesterday in affected areas to make the highway two way because of heavy rush of vehicles.
No vehicle was allowed from Jammu or Srinagar since yesterday afternoon on the highway to allow repair of the road, a traffic police official told UNI here. He said vehicles will move from Jammu to Srinagar tomorrow, if a green signal is received from the BRO and traffic police officials posted at different places on the highway.
However, there is a forecast of heavy rains during the next 48 hours in Jammu and Kashmir, which could trigger fresh landslides.
Meanwhile, a large number of trucks, mostly empty, and oil tankers remained stranded at different places on the highway after authorities decided to allow only LMVs yesterday.
Similarly, large number of vehicles, including those carrying essentials and passengers, are stranded at Jammu. (AGENCIES)
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