Srinagar-Jammu National reopens for 2-way traffic

Ramban, Dec 29: After the improvement in the weather and clearance of snow on the Banihal-Qazigund road stretch, the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway reopened for two-way traffic of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) on Sunday.

The highway was closed on Friday evening due to the accumulation of snowfall and slippery road conditions on both sides of the Jawahar Tunnel, Banihal-Qaziqund (Navyug) Tunnel including the Qazigund-Anantnag sector and due to rain between Udhampur and Banihal besides apprehension of shooting stones between Chanderkote and Banihal stretch of the highway.

However, after a slight improvement in the weather on Saturday noon, the concerned agencies cleared the accumulated snow by pressing their men and machinery into service and made the highway traffic-worthy.

Stranded passenger vehicles between Navyug Tunnel and Mir Bazaar were cleared.

Due to the blockade of the highway, hundreds of vehicles remained stranded at Samba, Majalta, Dhar Road, Jakhani Udhampur, Qazigund, Kashmir, and various other locations due to which people and commuters faced problems.

Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police, National Highway, Ramban, Rohit Baskotra said that the highway was reopened for traffic on Sunday morning.

He said that the priority was given to passenger LMVs and private cars and after that stranded heavy vehicles were permitted to ply towards Kashmir.

Baskotra said that the old alignment of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway passing from Patnitop and Jawahar Tunnel was also re-opened after the concerned road maintenance agency cleared accumulated snow.

He advised the commuters and vehicle operators to drive cautiously while travelling on the highway.

The old alignment of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway passing from Patnitop and Jawahar Tunnel is being used by the oil, lubricants, and gas tankers. Filled oil, lubricants, and gas tankers are not allowed to cross the Chenani-Nashri and Banihal Qazigund tunnels.