Srinagar, Feb 21: The Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed for vehicular traffic for over 13 hours due to a landslide along Ramban and Banihal stretch.
Due to the blockage, hundreds of vehicles have been stranded on both sides of the highway.
SSP Ramban & SSP Traffic NHW, Mohita Sharma said heavy landslides continue at Shalgadi, Banihal. People are advised to avoid travel on highway, she said.
“The NH closed for traffic. Continuous shooting stones at Shalgadi, Banihal hampering clearance work on NH,” Sharma said.
During the day, Deputy Commissioner, Mussarat Islam along with SSP Traffic visited the stretch. He advised PD NHAI to expedite the work to develop a double carriageway for hassle-free movement of vehicles between Nashri and Ramban.
DC directed the NHAI to widen this section to four lanes, which shall also involve making the critical Kunfer tunnel between Peerah and Chanderkote functional.
A traffic police department spokesman said from Monday 5 PM to Tuesday 5 PM, the Srinagar-Jammu highway remained blocked for 14 hours due to landslides, shooting stones near Sherbibi.
“ C-N Tunnel closed for 02 hrs 30 mins by Tunnel authority, making the total blockage of 16 hrs 20 mins. There was a breakdown of 02 HMVs on NH-44 between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel,” he said.
The traffic department spokesman said HMVs with only 06 and 10 tyres shall be allowed to ply through Dhar road.
“The Jammu Srinagar highway is still closed due to a huge landslide and continuous shooting stones near Sherbibi, Banihal,” he said.
A JKDMA Spokesperson said that an avalanche with a high danger level is likely to occur above 2700 metres over Ganderbal and Kupwara districts in the next 24 hours.
“Avalanche with Low Danger Level is likely to occur above 2700 metres above sea level over Ganderbal and Kupwara districts in next 24 hours,” he said.
The spokesman said people living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing into the avalanche-prone areas till further orders.
