SRINAGAR: After clearing Kashmir-bound vehicles stranded overnight on the national highway, connecting the Valley with the rest of the country, the authorities allowed down convoy this afternoon.
Jammu-bound vehicles stranded at various places on this side of the Jawahar tunnel, including at Qazigund, were allowed to ply on the highway this afternoon.
However, no fresh vehicle was allowed from Srinagar or Jammu today on the National Highway, a traffic police official said this afternoon.
Large number of Kashmir-bound vehicles, including those carrying passengers, which were stranded on the highway since yesterday, were cleared since this morning, he said.
Now, he said, ”We are clearing Jammu-bound vehicles which were stranded on the highway, adding fresh traffic will be allowed only once all the stranded vehicles are cleared.
One-way traffic on the highway resumed yesterday when vehicles from Jammu to Srinagar were allowed after remaining suspended for three days due to heavy snowfall and landslides.”
However, there were fresh landslides at Pantiyal and Sheer Bibi and other areas between Ramban and Ramsu forcing authorities to suspend traffic again on the highway, he said, adding the Border Roads Organisation responsible for the maintenance of the highway immediately put into service sophisticated machines and men and put the highway through again in the afternoon.
But, due to slippery road conditions in the evening when the temperature goes below freezing temperature, traffic was again suspended to avoid any accident.
Only one-way traffic will be allowed on the highway till further orders, he said, adding decision to resume traffic from both sides will be taken only after the weather and road conditions improve.
However, there is a forecast for heavy to very heavy snowfall during the next 48 hours in the region, including on the highway. (AGENCIES)
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