Srinagar-Jammu highway closed for third day

Reports reaching KMW said that heavy snowfall and incessant overnight rains lashed the vital road link connecting Valley with other states for the third day today rendering the road link unsafe for the movement of vehicular traffic. However, over 400 stranded vehicles, including passenger buses and load carriers were removed to safer locations by the state authorities.

Around 400 people stranded inside the 2.6 km long Jawahar Tunnel from the last three days were evacuated by the district administration and Army’s 36 RR. All of them evacuees were shifted to safer location in Qazigund town of South Kashmir’s Islamabad district.

Two of the travelers identified as Mohammad Iqbal and Bashir Ahmad were admitted in the hospital after they were found suffering from hypothermia.

“All stranded passengers were cleared. 39 passengers who had stayed at Jawahar Tunnel were brought to Srinagar in 4 winger vehicles and one Tata Sumo. The passengers had been accommodated in the 24 Bn CRPF camp located near the Tunnel. The other stranded trucks are being cleared and it is expected that by evening the road will be cleared of all stranded vehicles. There are no stranded passenger vehicles between Qazigund and Jawahar Tunnel,” Coordinator Disaster Management and OSD with Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Amir Ali said.

The air traffic that was hit by snowfall and poor visibility also resumed this morning.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand on Friday was stranded for two hours at the picturesque Patnitop due to the traffic jam following the closure of the vital Srinagar-Jammu highway.

Reliable sources told that Tara Chand, who had gone to Patnitop to oversee rescue and relief operations following the closure of the 300-km long highway, was stranded for over two hours due to heavy rush and frequent traffic jams. Dy Chief Minister’s cavalcade, the sources said was badly struck in the traffic.

After hours of hectic struggle by his security men, traffic cops and beacon authorities, Tara Chand was escorted out of the Patnitop area.