Roads to remote areas remain closed, Kashmir highway throug

Despite forecast for moderate to heavy snowfall in the Pirpanchal range, the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway was through but dozens of far flung and remote areas, including villages near the Line of Control (LoC) remained cut off from their respective district headquarters since last month due to heavy snowfall.

The Ladakh region also remained cut off from the rest of the country after the Zojila pass on Srinagar-Leh highway was closed for winter months due to snowfall and slippery road conditions in December last year.

The authorities had announced closure of the highway, connecting the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country for two days from today as a precautionary measure in view of the forecast issued by the Met department from moderate to heavy snowfall.

However, as there was not much snowfall today, the authorities taking the advantage of weather conditions allowed trucks loaded with essentials and passengers vehicles from Jammu to Srinagar early this morning.

All the vehicles had to cross Udhampur by 0800 hrs this morning to cross the troubled spots before it is heavy snowfall. Official sources said the road situation will be reviewed and decision to allow traffic will be taken accordingly.

The highway remained open for only one-way since December 13 when there was heavy snowfall to avoid any traffic jam or any accident.

This has helped smooth traffic movement on the highway.

Dozens of far flung and remote areas, particularly in north Kashmir, including those near the LoC in Keran, Karnah, Tangdhar, Machil and Neeru sectors remained cut off from their respective district headquarters since last month.

The authorities had been arranging helicopter service for stranded passengers of some of the cut off areas.


(Free Press Kashmir)