The 270 kilometer Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was disrupted Monday due to landslides and shooting stones leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded for the whole day. The stranded vehicles included buses ferrying hundreds of passengers to the Valley after completion of their 14-day quarantine period at Lakhanpur, officials said. The vehicles carrying travellers from outside states by the authorities were also stranded on the highway, officials said.
Senior Traffic police officials said more than 700 trucks carrying essential commodities to the Valley remained stranded till late evening as the shooting stones at Cafeteria Morh were causing difficulties in smooth movement of traffic.
Speaking with Greater Kashmir, Deputy Superintendent Police, Traffic (Highway), Ajay Anand said: “Fresh landslides that occurred today have been cleared but incidents of shooting stones since today morning blocked the highway again. Afternoon rainfall has compounded the problems,” Anand said.
Anand who is stationed at Ramban said some trucks stranded since Sunday were being allowed to move during the night time but road was again closed for traffic on Monday morning. “As soon we start clearing the traffic, shooting stones caused the trouble again. Stranded trucks and buses will be allowed to move as soon road reopens but it all depends on when shooting stones stop,” said Anand.
The frequent closure of the highway has choked supplies to the Valley at a time when people are reeling under hardships due to Covid19 lockdown.
GK
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