Jammu-Srinagar highway to remain shut during PM Modi's visit

The PM will first arrive in Srinagar on November 7 to address a public rally in the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium

The entire length of the 300-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway would be barred to general traffic on November 7 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Jammu and Kashmir, an official said on Wednesday.

Going all out to ensure a high-tech security for Modi's visit, the security forces in the state are, besides closing the highway to general traffic, imposing restrictions on movements, erecting drop gates, carrying out cordon and search operations in addition to using hi-tech gadgetry for the purpose.

"There will be no traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar highway from morning till evening on November 7 as a security measure during the Modi's visit to Baghlihar in Ramban district," a senior intelligence officer said here.

The official said an additional helipad is being laid at Chanderkote near Baglihar to augment the already-existing one to ensure a hassle-free VVIP traffic on the day.

The officer said the preparations were giving "sleepless night" to the security forces.

"All these things are routine security paraphernalia ahead of the prime minister's visit to any place in the country. But, in Jammu and Kashmir one has to have that extra bit of precaution," he said.

Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the 450 MW second phase of the Baglihar power project and the Shaheed Amarnath Bhagat skill development institute in Baglihar (Ramban) during his day's visit.

The prime minister will first arrive in Srinagar on November 7 to address a public rally in the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium where he is expected to announce an all-inclusive economic package for the state.