Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 20: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today directed the administration to keep Mughal Road ready as an alternate link for Amarnath yatra pilgrims if Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed for traffic in view of rains.
He issued the direction to top officers of the administration while chairing the District Development Board (DDB) meetings at Samba and Kathua today.
“Condition of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is not good at some places. If there were heavy rains during Monsoon, the National Highway will get blocked and can take time for restoration. We have to prepare alternate plan to ensure that the Amarnath yatris are not stranded for long time here,’’ Mufti Sayeed said and called upon the administration to make all security and other arrangements at Mughal Road to take the pilgrims to Kashmir from Jammu in case of prolonged highway blockade.
Mughal Road is presently operating normally.
Sources said authorities will have to make adequate security arrangements on Mughal Road if Amarnath Yatra convoy had to be taken from that road during blockade of Jammu-Srinagar Highway.
It may be mentioned here that condition of Jammu-Srinagar highway was not good especially between Ramban and Banihal and even slight rains lead to closure of the road.