In Jammu and Kashmir, the 270 km long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, (NH44), the only all-weather surface link which connects Kashmir valley with the rest of the country remained closed for vehicular traffic for the third consecutive day today, February 11.
AIR Correspondent reports that amid landslides and shooting stones at Mehad, Panthiyal and Cafeteria Morh in Ramban district, the strategic National Highway was blocked and was closed for vehicular traffic on Thursday evening. About 500 trucks and 400 LMVs are stranded at different locations on the National Highway highway between Nashri and Banihal in the Ramban.
As many as 94 stranded passengers have been sheltered at different shelter sheds in Ramsu and 40 in Ramban tehsil of the Ramban district. These stranded passengers were provided with free food and heating arrangements besides blankets and mattresses in the lodgement centres. However, the road clearance operation is underway on war footing level to make the road clear and vehicular movement on the National Highway will resume up to the evening today.
The authorities have advised the commuters to undertake the journey on the National Highway only after confirming the status of the road from the Traffic Control Units of Ramban, Srinagar and Jammu. The historic Mughal road, the alternate National Highway connecting the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch of Jammu region with the Shopian district of Kashmir valley is already closed since December last year.
