Jammu, August 21 : The continuous shooting stones at half-a-dozen vulnerable spots on Jammu-Srinagar national highway—the only road link connecting Kashmir with rest of the country—has become a major challenge for clearance of road for traffic.
The traffic on the highway was suspended due to multiple landslides triggered by heavy rains at Panthyal, Battery Chashma, Marog, Monkey Morh and Trishul Morh in Ramban sector on Thursday morning.
Ramban deputy commissioner Nazim Zai Khan told The Tribune there were six to seven points where shooting stones had been taking place.
“We have launched a clearance operation at Mompassi point near Ramsoo but the continuous shooting stones at Panthyal and other places have been hampering clearance work. We are unable to carry out a clearance operation as it is raining heavily in the area,” Khan said, adding, “The traffic would remain suspended on the highway till clearance operation is over”.
Khan said: “Around 200 passengers have been stranded at different places between treacherous Ramban and Banihal stretch. Refreshment for stranded is being organised at Seri and Ramban. Last evening, we cleared around 150-200 vehicles stranded in the area but continuous rains and shooting stones turned out to be a major challenge for road clearing teams. The operation was stalled and we are awaiting favourable weather conditions to re-launch operation”.
According to the traffic police officials, over 1,000 vehicles including light motor vehicles and trucks have been stranded at different places along the highway including Ramban, Banihal, Udhampur-Jakheni Bypass Pass, Dhar Road and Nagrota area of Jammu.
“No fresh movement of vehicles is being allowed from TCP Jakheni (Udhampur) towards Kashmir and Qazigund towards Jammu side since Thursday morning. The priority will be on clearing all stranded vehicles,” the officials said.
Pertinently, the National Highway Authority of India, which has been executing the four-laning project, has submitted a detailed project report (DPR) worth Rs 2,000 crore to the Centre for re-alignment of 14-km four-laning road stretch on the treacherous Ramban-Banihal section to bypass half-a-dozen “killer spots” to make it all-weather road.
The re-alignment of the road has been finalized between village Marog and Makarkote in Ramban district. All major trouble and land-sliding points including Marog, Panthial, Digdol and Battery Chashma would be bypassed after realignment to make it all-weather road. (TNS)
Comments are closed.