Jammu–Srinagar highway shut for second day, 3,400 vehicles stranded

Jammu/Srinagar (The Uttam Hindu): Rain and snowfall may have stopped in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, but normal life has still not returned to normal. The 270-km-long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, considered the lifeline of the state, remained completely closed for traffic for the second consecutive day. Due to the closure of the highway, the Kashmir Valley has been cut off from the rest of the country. The situation is such that long queues of vehicles have formed at various places on the highway and thousands of people are stranded midway.

The worst situation is in Ramban and Udhampur.

The closure of the highway is affecting Ramban and Udhampur districts the most. According to statistics, over 900 vehicles are stranded in Ramban district alone, while in Udhampur district this number has exceeded 2,500. These stranded vehicles include local citizens as well as a large number of tourist vehicles. Furthermore, over 2,000 other vehicles, including trucks carrying essential goods, are also lined up, waiting for the road to reopen and receive the green light. Removing these vehicles remains a major challenge for the administration.

Ice is being removed with urea and salt

The administration is making war-like efforts to restore the road. Snow accumulation on the road between Ramsu and Banihal in Ramban district has made it very slippery, and urea and salt are being sprayed to reduce the snow. SP Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, National Highway (Banihal), informed that the snow-clearing operation is in its final stages, and as soon as the road reopens, priority will be given to removing vehicles stranded on both sides. Meanwhile, the army, police, and civil administration have evacuated hundreds of stranded passengers to safe places and have made arrangements for food and accommodation for them.

Train became the only support, weather will deteriorate again tomorrow

The Jammu-Srinagar highway, as well as the Mughal Road connecting Poonch to Kashmir, are also closed. Amid the road blockade, rail services have proved to be a boon for travelers. Despite the inclement weather, train traffic to Srinagar continues, while flight services from Srinagar airport have also resumed. However, the relief is not expected to last long. The Meteorological Department has warned that rain and snowfall may resume again in the state from Monday evening to Tuesday. Currently, work is underway to reopen the closed connecting roads in the hilly areas.