SRINAGAR: The National Highway, connecting the Ladakh region with the rest of the country, remained closed since December last year, forcing stranded passengers at Kargil to protest against non-availability of helicopter service.
Meanwhile, the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was through for one-way traffic and up convoy was allowed today. Dozens of far-flung and remote villages, including those near the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir, also remained cut off with their respective district and tehsil headquarters due to accumulation of snow on roads. Official sources said that due to heavy snowfall and slippery road condition, the highway connecting Ladakh region with Kashmir remained closed since December last year. However, the road from Drass to Kargil and Leh was through for traffic. But road from Drass-Zojila and Sonmarg remained closed due to snow.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had started operation from Drass side to clear more than 10 feet of snow at different places, including the Zojilla pass. Despite repeated assurance, the authorities have failed to arrange air-lifting of passengers, including students and patients, stranded at Kargil since February 10. The stranded passengers yesterday staged a protest demonstration at Lal Chowk, Kargil, alleging that government has not made arrangement for their air-lifting to Srinagar and Jammu.
They demanded immediate airlifting from Kargil to save the future of their children and patients. Meanwhile, Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the only road linking Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, remained open for only one-way traffic. Hundreds of vehicles, including those carrying passengers and trucks loaded with essentials, including vegetables, are plying from Jammu to Srinagar today. However, no vehicle was allowed from Srinagar to Jammu as only one-way traffic will continue to ply on the highway till further orders.
(AGENCIES)
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