Srinagar, Feb 16 (IANS) Landslides triggered by rain and snow forced the closure of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway for the fourth consecutive day Wednesday, officials said.
After three days, the 300-km strategic road was opened for light vehicles Wednesday morning but had to be closed again in the afternoon as landslides occurred at some places.
‘Efforts are on to open the highway as quickly as possible, but intending travellers should contact the traffic control room before undertaking the journey,’ said an official of the traffic department.
Many passengers stranded on the road have been complaining of hardships.
‘We have been stranded at Qazigund for the last three days and the authorities have not done much to help us,’ said a tourist.
Authorities here, however, maintain no passenger vehicle is stranded anywhere in the avalanche prone areas along the highway and adequate arrangements have been made to provide board and lodging to commuters at safe points.
‘Everything possible is being done to help the stranded passengers and also drivers and conductors of many trucks loaded with essential supplies for the valley,’ a district administration official said.
