Umaisar Gul Ganaie
Srinagar, Sep 2: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Traffic, M Suleman Chaudhary on Tuesday advised people to avoid traveling on the Jammu-Srinagar and Doda-Kishtwar highways, as incessant rains have triggered fresh landslides, forcing closure of these vital road links.
IGP Chaudhary said, “The highway had been reopened partially over the past two days to facilitate the movement of trucks carrying essentials to the Valley, the situation worsened on Tuesday morning.”
He said, “Our priority was to allow trucks carrying essential supplies to the Valley. But since this morning, no work could be taken up for restoration as continuous landslides are hampering clearance operations.”
Traffic movement has remained suspended, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded. The IGP urged commuters to avoid unnecessary travel and to confirm the status of the road before embarking on any journey.
On the issue of fruit transportation, IGP Chaudhary clarified that trucks with more than six tyres are not being allowed to ply on Mughal Road. “We have already advised truckers. Over the past two to three days, more than 1,500 fruit-laden trucks were allowed to move towards Jammu. Currently, there are about 1,500 to 1,600 trucks stranded at Qazigund, though very few of them are carrying fruit,” he said.
The IGP Traffic assured that efforts are underway to restore connectivity, but added that the safety of travellers remains the top priority and they should avoid embarking on any journey till the restoration works are completed.
