Highway to remain closed today

Srinagar, Jun 23: Traffic on Jammu-Srinagar, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world, shall remain closed on Friday for the 4th consecutive day, officials said.
The thoroughfare remained closed due to multiple landslides triggered by incessant rains, officials said.
“Tomorrow on 24-06-2022, movement of all type of vehicles shall remain suspended on Jammu-Srinagar highway in view of major landslide near Dewal bridge which has damaged both tubes of highway road where restoration work could not be completed till today evening and will continue tomorrow also,” a traffic department official said. “Restoration work at t2 tunnel has also not been complete.”
Likewise vehicular movement from Jammu to Chenani, Patnitop, Doda, Ramban, Gool, Banihal, Srinagar and vice-versa shall also remain suspended because of closure of highway near Dewal bridge, he said.
“People are requested not to undertake any journey on Jammu- Srinagar NHW and other mentioned routes till clearance work is completed.”
Meanwhile in order to assess the ground situation that arose due to incessant rains and landslides, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Ramesh Kumar conducted an extensive tour of landslide hit areas on Highway in District Udhampur.
The Divisional Commissioner along with Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Krittika Jyotsna, SSP Vinod Kumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mohammad Syed Khan, ASP Anwar- Ul- Haq inspected the landslide spot near Toldi Nallah -Samroli stretch of Highway, where men and machinery have been deployed for expeditious clearance of road.
The Divisional Commissioner asked the executing agencies to gear up men and machinery to remove landslides from highway and ensure that the road was made traffic worthy at the earliest.
The DC apprised the Divisional Commissioner that efforts were being made to restore the Highway, officials said. She said the men and machinery were working on war footing to restore Highway and partial restoration of vehicular movement was expected within 24 hours.
The DC further added that the general public has been advised to adhere to weather advisories and plan their journey accordingly. Stranded passengers were advised to call on 01992-272727-272728 helpline numbers for any kind of assistance.
It was informed that the road clearance work on Jammu-Srinagar Highway in Ramban District has almost been completed while men and machinery was in place for clearance of stretches closed due to landslides. It is expected that the work will complete within hours.
The District Administration Ramban was providing shelter (accommodation) to passengers stranded in the district. The administration was also providing food facilities regularly.
The Mughal road was also through for traffic.
“Truckers upto ten Tyre are advised to use Mughal road from Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa.”
The officials said there shall be no traffic movement on every Friday on Srinagar- Sonamarg-Gumri road from either side in view of maintenance and repairing on Zoji La axis. (GNS)