One-Way traffic temporarily allowed towards Gurez

Bandipora, Jan 28: The Bandipora district administration on Tuesday temporarily allowed traffic to ply on the Bandipora-Gurez road, under certain conditions following protests by locals. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate had earlier disallowed traffic on the road due to windstorms at Razdan Top, a frequent occurrence in recent months.

The storms bring snow powder and sleet, making it dangerous to commute.

On Monday, the Magistrate’s office issued cut-off timings for crossing traffic control points at Tragbal, starting at 10am and ending at 11:30am, subject to fair weather conditions. However, on Tuesday morning, passengers and trucks embarking on the journey were stopped when the administration said that there was a snowstorm at Razdan Top. This advisory infuriated a large number of travellers, who staged a protest, pleading to be allowed to move towards Gurez as Bandipora experienced yet another sunny day on Tuesday.

The office eventually allowed traffic to move from Bandipora to Gurez, but only for drivers willing to stay in Gurez in case the road closed again due to adverse weather.

“The machinery on the road was busy clearing snow near Razdan Top on Tuesday, as snow brought in by winds was repeatedly covering the road,” SDM Gurez Mukhtar Ahmad told Greater Kashmir.

As the winds settled, traffic was allowed, primarily due to the insistence of the public, the officer said. He added that, given another weather advisory, passengers and drivers willing to remain in Gurez for longer periods in the event of snowfall were permitted to proceed. The officer noted that on Wednesday, weather permitting—which seemed “unlikely”—vehicles would be allowed to travel from Gurez to Bandipora. He also suggested that keeping the road open in dangerous conditions was unnecessary, as the government had arranged helicopter services for emergencies.