Jammu-Srinagar highway reopens for one-way traffic

The 300km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which is the only surface link of the Valley with the rest of the country, was on Friday reopened for vehicular traffic after remaining closed for the last four days following heavy snowfall.

The 300km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which is the only surface link of the Valley with the rest of the country, was on Friday reopened for vehicular traffic after remaining closed for the last four days following heavy snowfall.

HT Image

However, only one-way traffic from Jammu to Srinagar was allowed.

Traffic inspector general of police Muneer Khan said, "Today, we were able to clear 1,300 vehicles bound for Srinagar, and 600 heavy vehicles and 700 passengers managed to pass Jawahar Tunnel."

He added, "Vehicular movement on various sections of the road is extremely difficult due to accumulation of snow, fog and the slippery condition of the track. Movement of vehicles around Patnitop, Shaitani Nallah and Bannihal sections was very slow. A portion of the road in the area around Chenani has sunk, hampering smooth movement of vehicles. The remaining vehicles bound for the Valley will be cleared on Sunday."

Personnel of the Border Road Organisation (BRO) continued efforts to clear the snow from the highway throughout the night.