Srinagar, Mar 03: Due to maintenance and repair work, 270-kilometre Srinagar-Jammu highway remained closed for traffic on Friday. While hundreds of vehicles remained stranded on both sides of the highway, officials said.
SP Ramban & SSP Traffic NHW, Mohita Sharma said in view of dry day, no traffic was allowed between Navyuga and Nashri tunnel from 6 AM on Friday till 6 AM on Saturday.
In February, J&K administration announced the suspension of vehicular traffic on the highway between Nashri and Banihal on February 24, March 3 and 10 to facilitate the NHAI to undertake important repair and maintenance work in the wake of damage caused by landslides, mudslides and shooting stones.
Another official at the traffic department said no vehicular traffic was allowed either from Jammu or Srinagar highway to ensure repairs and maintenance in a hassle-free manner.
“On Saturday, subject to fair weather and road clearance, LMVs passengers, Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on the highway. TCU Jammu, Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic,” he said.
The official said similarly on 10th March, there will be no traffic allowed to move on the highway in view of maintenance work.
The highway is the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) issued an avalanche warning for five districts of UT, advising people against venturing out into the avalanche-prone areas.
A JKDMA Spokesperson said, “Low danger level avalanche is likely to occur above 3500 metres over Doda & Kishtwar districts in next 24 hours.”
He said an avalanche with Medium Danger Level is likely to occur above 2500 metres over Bandipore, Ganderbal & Kupwara districts in next 24 hours.
“People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas,” the spokesman said.
On Friday, weather improved in Kashmir valley after witnessing two day wet spell in the region.
Director MeT, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that as expected, the weather improved significantly in Kashmir region on Friday. We are expecting mainly dry weather till 12th March, he said.
“From 4th to 5th March, there will be partly to generally cloudy weather in the region. After that there will be mainly dry weather from 6-12th March, Lotus said.
He said there will be an appreciable rise in day temperatures from Saturday onwards in the whole J&K.