Umaisar Gull Ganie
Srinagar, Aug 28: Hundreds of vehicles remained stranded along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for the second consecutive day on Wednesday as the vital road link continues to be closed due to extensive damage at multiple locations.
The closure has been caused by landslides and washouts triggered by continuous rainfall, leaving travellers and transporters stranded.
Eyewitnesses said that the highway, which serves as the lifeline connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, has been witnessing long queues of stranded trucks, passenger vehicles and private cars.
Drivers stranded at Qazigund said they have been stuck for three days, facing a lack of shelter and other hardships. They urged the authorities to speed up restoration work and clear the debris so that traffic movement can resume at the earliest.
In a post on X, J&K Traffic Police wrote, “Traffic is plying on Mughal Road/SSG Road as per advisory. Commuters are advised to follow lane discipline; overtaking will cause congestion.”
“However, Jammu-Srinagar NHW is closed due to damage at several places between Jakheni and Chenani. People are advised not to undertake journeys on Jammu-Srinagar NHW till the restoration work is completed and the surface is traffic-worthy. Sinthan Road is also closed,” the post reads.
Meanwhile, Railway authorities operated two special trains to ensure smooth travel for stranded tourists from Jammu Railway Station to other parts of the country. An official said that a special train to facilitate the movement of stranded passengers from Jammu to Delhi was arranged today at 2 PM.
He said that another reserved/unreserved mix special train was also arranged from Jammu to Banaras via Ludhiana, Ambala, Saharanpur, Moradabad and Lucknow at 3 PM today. (KNO)
