Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, June 6: The old Jammu-Srinagar National Highway passing through Udhampur town was closed after a portion of approach road to Birma Bridge near Army Cantonment area, was breached due to heavy rain during early hours today.
Official sources said that after the portion of this approach road, just closer to the first bridge pier at the bank of Birma Nalla on Jammu side was damaged, the authorities immediately closed the road sensing trouble. It was observed that little portion of this approach road was sinking for the last few months but as the concerned authorities did not initiate any repair work, due to heavy rain last night and flood in Nallah, the approach road got damaged.
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This old National Highway to Udhampur town from Army’s Northern headquarters has been constructed by GREF authorities. It also serves as vital link between the Army Headquarters and Udhampur City. After passing through Udhampur, it is connected with the main National Highway at Jakheni.
Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur Dr Piyush Singla directed the closure of Highway at around 8.30 am and the entire traffic was diverted to the Bypass Road. The restoration work has also been launched at war footing. The barricades were raised and policemen were deployed at the site.
Locals said that the portion of road and bridge had developed cracks since long but concerned authorities, responsible for maintaining it, totally ignored, endangering precious lives, who pass through it on their vehicles.
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