Jammu-Srinagar highway cleared, to be one-way from Friday

Only one-way traffic will be allowed on the Jammu-Srinagar highway Friday after all stranded vehicles on the road were cleared Thursday evening, it was announced here.

Minister of State for Home Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo, who took stock of the measures taken to restore the vehicular movement on the highway at a high-level meeting, was told that the road would be open for one-way traffic towards Srinagar Friday as all stranded vehicles, including goods carriers and passenger buses en route the over-300-km-long route had been cleared.

Kichloo said helicopter service would be started for Dachhan, Marwah and Wadwan areas of Chenab Valley to airlift the stranded passengers and patients from these cut off areas of Doda, Kishwar and Ramban districts of Jammu region.

The meeting was told that the traffic movement on national highways connecting Doda, Kishtwar and the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri would also be restored fully by Friday.

The meeting reviewed stock and supply position of essential commodities and restoration of essential public services in the snowbound areas of the state.

The minister also reviewed the preparedness of the state administration in case of further snowfall and asked the concerned authorities to be vigilant and proactive to meet any eventuality.

He said people in the snowbound areas have high expectations from the government, adding that no stone should be left unturned to restore road connectivity, electricity and drinking water supply in the affected areas on war-footing.

Kitchloo said officers and engineers in their respective jurisdiction should be more responsive to the needs of the people in this hour of need and there should be no laxity in this regard.

He directed the inspector general of police (traffic) to act tough against the trucks and load carriers which travel on national highway during night hours in violation of the guidelines.