Flight Operation To Resume But No Traffic On Strategic Thoroughfare On Jan 24
Srinagar, Jan 23 (GNS): Fresh snowfall on Saturday led to the closure of strategic Jammu-Srinagar highway and prevented any flight operation at the Srinagar international airport.
“On January 24, no vehicular movement shall be allowed on Jammu-Srinagar highway from either side in view of the shooting stones and mudslides at several places on the thoroughfare and snow accumulation around the Jawahar Tunnel and inclement weather prediction issued by MeT department,” a traffic official told GNS.
The thoroughfare, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world, was closed for traffic earlier on Saturday noon following fresh snowfall on either side of the 2.5 kilometer Jawahar Tunnel.
Traffic authorities were heard making announcement, requesting the drivers to return back and “not led people astray.”
“It is my humble request to please return as there are no chances of traffic resuming today. The vehicles which have passed Nagrota are stranded in Chinani, Ramban, Batote and Nasri,” DTI Nagrota, Inspector Rakesh Kumar, was heard making announcement through public address system fitted in the traffic department vehicle as per GNS correspondent. “Please don’t take any risk. There are chances of (land and snow) slides and as such return home. Whenever highway reopens, there would be traffic from Srinagar to Jammu.”
Mughal road, connecting Shopian and Poonch districts, also remained closed due to the snowfall. Srinagar-Leh highway has been officially closed on the orders by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir on December 30.
Official said that due to snowfall air traffic to and fro Kashmir was suspended. They said no flight operation was possible at the airport as the runway was not available due to the accumulation of snow. However with the improvement in weather predicted, the flight operation would resume on January 24. (GNS)
