JK highway reopens for traffic, 700 stranded vehicles cleared

The Jammu-Srinagar national highway, which was closed for last two days following landslide due to heavy rains, was reopened today and around 700 stranded vehicles were cleared by the traffic authorities.
"The highway has been reopened for vehicular traffic after clearance of the landslide," a senior Police officer said.
Udhampur district administration had carried out extensive restoration exercise for various roads hit by landslides leading to blockades and traffic jam, he said.
A major landslide was reported at Kheri where the entire hillock has slided and machinery has been kept on standby for immediate response.
"Muck and debris again blocked the national highway late last night and restoration operation was launched today," he said.

District administration had issued warning about landslide and heavy rainfall and advisory a day before, he said, adding alert was also sounded and officers were kept ready.

Machinery of Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Mechanical Department and PWD were mobilised to clear the debris and mud, he said, adding that after 4-hour long operation at Kheri the road was made through for traffic and more than 700 stranded vehicles were cleared.
Traffic personnel also helped the movement of vehicles at the landslide site, he added.
District officials said half a dozen roads were closed due to landslides at Pancheri, Lander, Narsoo, Moungri, Saddal, Latti and Dudu.

"In view of permanent damage at Kheri near Udhampur the district administration has issued an advisory for commercial vehicles and passengers to ascertain the road condition on national highway before moving on this stretch", he said.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Angrez Singh Rana and Colonel H S Mann of BRTF supervised the road clearance operation. The Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary has directed the traffic police to liaise with BRO and ADC office for information on road blockades due to landslide and regarding restoration operation so that vehicles are halted well in advance instead of making passengers to wait for hours together during night time.

The DC appreciated the role of officers involved in road restoration and also PCR Udhampur for prompt communication.