SRINAGAR : The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the only road-link connecting Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, was closed today to undertake some urgent repair work on the road, which has been damaged at several places due to soil erosion and landslides during winter.
However, historic Mughal road, linking the valley with the Jammu region through Shopian in south Kashmir and Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region, was through for one-way traffic and up convoy was allowed.
No vehicle was allowed from Srinagar or Jammu to allow Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for the maintenance of the highway, to repair the damaged portion of the road, a traffic police official said.
He said it was already been announced that no traffic will ply today in view of the maintenance work on the road.
Only one-way traffic was allowed on the highway for the about four months due to damage caused to the road at several places, particularly between Ramban and Ramsu area due to soil erosion and landslides. Traffic was being allowed on alternate days on the highway.
During this winter, the highway remained frequently closed resulting in shortage of essentials, particularly fresh vegetables in the valley, leading to price rise.
Drivers and those travelling on the highway said the road has been totally damaged at most of the places between Ramban and Ramsu, making the travel very difficult. However, keeping in view the tourist season and annual Amarnath yatra, commencing from June 2, the BRO has decided to repair the road to make it two way as there were some spots where only one vehicle could pass.
Chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has also taken up the matter of damaged road in the Kashmir valley with the Centre and Director General of BRO, while Jammu and Kashmir High Court has also directed government to provide good roads to people. (AGENCIES)
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