Srinagar, Jan 19 (GNS): Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only road link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world, shall be closed for fresh traffic on Wednesday, officials said.
“Tomorrow (January 20), subject to fair weather and better road conditions, only stranded vehicles in Udhampur jurisdiction shall be allowed towards Srinagar including Ranban-Banihal (local traffic),” a traffic department official told GNS, adding, “no vehicle shall be allowed in the opposite direction.”
The highway reopened on January 16 after remaining closed for six days.
The thoroughfare was closed at 6:20 p.m. on January 10 after the retaining wall of a key bridge collapsed suddenly near Kela Morh in Ramban.
The decision to reopen the highway followed Border Roads Organization launching a Bailey bridge adjacent to the damaged within “60 hours”.
The authorities have underlined that the weight bearing capacity of Bailey bridge is less than 40 metric ton. The permanent restoration of the highway will take time and is expected by 1st week of March, the officials said.
The authorities also announced that there shall be no traffic movement on highway from either side in view of maintenance and repairs on Friday.
Meanwhile, Mughal road, connecting Shopian and Poonch districts, also remained closed. Srinagar-Leh highway has been officially closed on the orders by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir on December 30. (GNS)