SRINAGAR : Despite rain, the national highway, connecting the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, was through for one-way and traffic will ply from Jammu to Srinagar today. Only one-way traffic is being allowed on the highway for the past about four months as the road had been damaged at several places due to landslides triggered by rain and snow in the winter. The highway was through for one-way despite rain since early this morning, a traffic police official told UNI.
He said traffic will ply from Jammu to Srinagar and no vehicle will be allowed from opposite direction. Hundreds of vehicles, including those carrying essentials for the Kashmir valley and passengers left different parts of Jammu for Srinagar. Subject to weather and road condition, traffic will ply from Srinagar to Jammu tomorrow, he said and added that drivers and passengers are requested to contact Traffic Control Room before starting their journey.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for the maintenance of the highway, has already pressed into service sophisticated machines and men to clear all hurdles to allow two way traffic on the highway.
Official sources said there are some points on the highway where only one vehicle could pass because of the damage caused to the road due to landslides and soil erosion. The BRO are working to repair the damaged portion of the road so that two vehicles could pass easily, they said.
The highway remained frequently closed due to landslides and soil erosion in the month of February, March and first fortnight of April resulting in shortage of essentials, particularly vegetables in the valley. The prices of vegetables had increased manyfold and it was still high in the Valley, (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel