Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: At least 2500 vehicles have been stranded on Jammu- Srinagar National Highway, after landslides blocked highway near Ramban last night.
Official sources said that it was light rain in some parts of Ramban district during night. The landslides struck the highway at Battery Chashma and Monkey Morh mid night, resulting into the blockade of this busy highway.
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The National Highway authorities launched clearance operation in the morning but continuous shooting stones hampered the process of clearance. Even land slides area went on expanding at Monkey Morh and the road could not be opened till late this evening.
A large number of Kashmir bound trucks, light motor vehicles besides oil/ fuel tankers have been stranded in Ramban, Chanderkore, Peerah and Nashri area.
In view of highway blockade the polling process was also affected in Ramban area today as the vehicles movement remained suspended and many voters could not reach their stations.
IGP, Traffic, J&K Alok Kumar said that Jammu-Srinagar Highway has been blocked since 12.30 mid night. He said massive land slides at Mokey Morh and near Battery Chashma and Anokhi Fall blocked the busy highway. He said there was no rain today but even then, shooting stones and frequent land slides at the same two places disrupted the clearance work.
He said today was the turn of up convoy from Jammu side and around 2500 vehicles including nearly 1800 trucks/ oil tankers have been stranded in Ramban area. The men and machinery are on the job to clear the highway but it is most unlikely to restore highway tonight. The stranded vehicles will be cleared first when the road is restored tomorrow, the IGP added.
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