Mughal road remains closed for 3rd day, Kashmir highway through

SRINAGAR :  The historic Mughal road, linking Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region, remained closed for the third day today due to fresh heavy snowfall.
Meanwhile, the national highway, connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, was through for one-way traffic  and vehicles will ply from Srinagar to Jammu.
A traffic police official said that traffic on 86-km-long Mughal road,  will remain suspended as precautionary measures in view of fresh snowfall at Peer Ki Gali.
However, he said the authorities and Mughal road development authority have started snow clearance so that vehicular movement is restored on the road, which is seen as an alternative to Kashmir highway.
Deputy Commissioner, Shopian, said that snow and avalanche have been cleared on this side of the Pir-Ki-Gali. However, he said traffic will be allowed only when a green signal about snow clearance is reported from other side of the Gali.
The historic road was reopened early this week after remaining closed for four months due to six to 10 feet of snow at several places. However, the vehicles had to pass through several feet of snow wall on both sides of the road.
He said that despite intermittent rain from last two days, the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway was through for traffic.
Hundreds of vehicles, including empty trucks and oil tankers and those carrying passengers, left Srinagar for Jammu this morning. Majority of these vehicles were stopped to allow free movement of Darbar Move, shifting of offices from winter capital, Jammu to summer capital, Srinagar, on April 29 and 30.
“One-way movement of traffic from Jammu towards Srinagar would also be in place on May 6 and 7 to ensure hassle-free movement of vehicles carrying Darbar Move employees and important official records,” he added.
Meanwhile, 434-km-long national highway, linking Ladakh region with Kashmir, besides roads connecting dozens of far-flung and remote areas, including those near the Line of Control (LoC), still remained closed though authorities have started snow clearance operations. (AGENCIES)