Highway through for one way

Despite snow and rain one-way traffic continues on the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the only road connecting the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country.

Official sources said hundreds of vehicles, including those carrying passengers and empty trucks, gas and oil tankers left Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir valley this morning for Jammu. However, no vehicle was allowed from Jammu today.

The one-way traffic continued on the highway for the past two weeks after heavy snowfall triggered landslides and shooting stones, killing 11 persons, including four members of a family.

Two way traffic will be allowed only after receiving green signal from the BRO, traffic and police officials posted at different places on the highway,said.

Despite one-way traffic, there was traffic jam for several

hours from Zig to Jawhar tunnel, a passenger told UNI over Phone.

He said there was fresh snowfall and rains on the highway but vehicles were moving towards Jammu.

However, sources said there is a danger of landslides and shooting stones because of snow and rains on the highway, particularly in the Jawahar tunnel, Shaitan Nallah, Ramsu and Penthal area.

The highway remained closed for most period of January and this month due to snowfall, avalanches and slippery road condition, resulting in shortage of essentials, particularly cooking gas in the valley.

Meanwhile, the Ladakh region remained cut off from the rest of the state since December 1 last year when Zojila pass was closed for six winter months due to snowfall. The centre and state governments have approved to construct a tunnel at Zojila to make it all weather road.

Dozens of far flung and remote villages, including those near the Line of Control (LoC) also remained cut off from their respective district headquarters due to closure of the Sadhna and Razdan passes in north Kashmir.

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Traffic suspended on highway to clear stranded vehicles

Authorities today suspended fresh traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in order to clear vehicles stranded at different places due to extreme weather conditions for the past few days.

“No fresh traffic has been allowed from Jammu and Srinagar capital cities and all the stranded vehicles would be cleared”, Police officials said in Jammu.

The route was thrown open for two-way traffic yesterday for clearance of stranded vehicles after remaining closed for past three days due to heavy snowfall, avalanche and landslides.

As many as 3,266 stranded vehicles have been cleared during the past 24 hours, officials said.

Around 1,300 vehicles, including 1100 passenger vehicles reached Jammu while 1469 vehicles including 860 passenger vehicles from Jammu crossed the Valley yesterday, SP Ramban Anil Magotra said.

Similarly, around 185 vehicles, including 163 passenger vehicles from Jammu crossed over to Jawahir tunnel towards Kashmir and 312 vehicles including 165 passenger vehicles are on way to Jammu from Kashmir today, he said.

He said there was landslide at Nashri during midnight but it was cleared by Border Road Organisation (BRO) personnel and movement of vehicles was going on smoothly.

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Liquor shops on Jammu Srinagar highway makes driving unsafe

Though alcohol laws, prohibiting drinking with driving are in place in the state, increasing number of liquor shops on the national highway puts a question mark on its scale of implementation.

Along the 300 km long Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the number of liquor shops are adding with each day. Scores of liquors shops can be found dotting the highway at short distances intervals. Besides bars and liquor shops, restaurants, food points and some rickety restaurants also sell liquor. The liquor selling outlets remain busy with customers, which not only include drivers but other commuters as well.

Though the sale of liquor along the national highway is lawful and hence licensed by authorities, legal experts see it as a major hurdle in the implementation of alcohol law and safeguarding lives.

“It is imperative to check the growth of liquor shops along the national highway to ensure the safety of commuters,” said advocate Nazir Ahmad Ronga.

He said a survey conducted in India has shows drivers to be most habitual to drinking. The national highway not only includes commercial traffic but private commuters as well, Ronga adds.

“On one hand, we have a law restricting drinking with driving and on flip side, license is easily been granted to liquor shops on national highway which is the most dangerous road,”Nazir says.

He said though setting up of liquor shops on highway is not restricted under law “but there is a need to check it. Proper guidelines should be followed before granting license.”

As liquor shops flourish on highway, hoarding warning commuters against the deadly consequences of mixing drinking with driving can be found every where.

Advocate M.Ashraf Wani stated that the law has to be amended to restrict the setting up of liquors shop on national highway

“The liquor shops on highway contradict the law for against drinking while driving. This has to be taking into consideration seriously,” said Ashraf.

He says liquor shops on highway provide temptation to the commuters who are already in habit of drinking.

“We are trying to stop a crime while providing way it too,” Wani said.

He stated that the law should be modified to completely stop the establishment of liquor shops on highway.

Besides, commuters also complain against the mounting number of liquor shops.

“Over the years, the number of liquor shop has increased two fold. People can be seen enjoying liquor at bar or restaurants,” said Muneer Ahmad, a trader.

He said he has often noted drivers purchasing or drinking liquor at these shops.“It is very unsafe for drivers to mix drinking with driving. Authorities should ban selling liquor on highway,” adds Tariq Ahmad, shawl vendor.

One way traffic restored fully on highway

The Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained open for one-way traffic from Jammu to Srinagar. The authorities allowed the passenger vehicles to ply on the road almost after a week due to the slippery road conditions.

Officials said that due to slippery road conditions at many places only one-way traffic including the passenger traffic was allowed to move from Jammu to Srinagar while no vehicle was allowed to ply in the opposite direction.

Deputy Inspector General of Traffic, Vijay Kumar said following improvement in the conditions of the road they allowed the full fledged one way traffic from Jammu to Srinagar today. “At least 1900 Srinagar bound vehicles crossed over to this side of the tunnel. Among the 1900 vehicles at least 890 vehicles were passenger vehicles,” DIG said.

He said they have cleared almost all the supply carrying vehicles which were stranded on the other side of the tunnel at many places.

On the movement of the traffic on the road tomorrow DIG said, “We have decided to allow both the heavy and the passenger traffic from Srinagar to Jammu tomorrow but the intending travelers are asked to cross the Qazigund by or before 10 AM.”

To avoid any mishap or traffic jams on the road they will first let the passenger vehicles cross the Qazigund only after which the heavy traffic will be allowed to move.

Reports from Banihal, however, said that amid restrictions for fresh vehilces, one-way traffic from Jammu to Srinagar was allowed to move on 300 kilometer long National Highway 1A, today while tomorrow there will be down traffic from Srinagar to Jammu in case of fair weather condition.

Official sources said that in the morning hours some Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses were allowed proceed from Jammu to Srinagar but later at around 11 AM, the no fresh traffic was allowed to move.

The stranded traffic was allowed to move one-way from Jammu to Srinagar. As per official data, 2063 vehicles crossed Jawahar Tunnel till 7 PM. It included 695 trucks, 971 LMVs, 169 Oil Tankers, 16 LPG trucks , 41 gas tankers, 8 SRTC buses, 13 private buses, 60 army vehilces, 55 CRPF and 45 BSF.

Jammu Srinagar highway open for one way traffic

The 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was thrown open for one-way traffic from winter to summer capital today. However, the 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh National Highway remained closed while hundreds of villages, including those near the Line of Control (LoC) also remained cut off from their respective district and tehsil headquarters.

A traffic police official said here today that all the vehicles, particularly trucks, loaded with essentials, stranded between Banihal, Batote, Udhampur and Jammu, were allowed to move towards the Valley this morning.

He said only State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses, carrying passengers were also allowed from Jammu to Srinagar.

No light passenger or private vehicle was allowed as a precautionary measure.

Similarly no vehicle from Srinagar to Jammu was allowed today.

Official sources said most of the stranded vehicles, particularly trucks loaded with fruit and empty oil tankers at Qazigund and other places in south Kashmir were cleared yesterday.

Similarly, SRTC buses were allowed to ply on the highway from here to Jammu yesterday for stranded passengers.

However, hundreds of passengers, including non-state subjects, remained stranded here because of non availability of sufficient SRTC buses.

The Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained open for the one way traffic from Srinagar to Jammu today. However, only heavy vehicles were allowed to ply on the road.

Officials said that the traffic was allowed to move on the road only from Srinagar to Jammu and no vehicle was allowed to move in the opposite direction. “Due to slippery conditions of the road we allowed only one way traffic to ply on the highway. At least 2000 vehicles including 80 SRTC buses were allowed to move towards Jammu. 95 percent of the stranded trucks on this side of the tunnel were cleared today,” said Inspector General of Traffic, Hemant Kumar Lohia.

He said that tomorrow the road will remain open for only the stranded Srinagar bound stranded vehicles and the SRTC buses. “Still there are hundreds of supply trucks at halt on the other side of the road and we will try to clear them all tomorrow. Besides the SRTC buses will be allowed to move from Jammu to Srinagar,” IG said. About the movement of the light passenger vehicles on the road, the IG said, “The road is still slippery at many places and it will not be advisable to allow light vehicles to ply from either side. People can undertake the journey to Srinagar or Jammu in SRTC buses.” He also said that an SRTC bus towards Jammu will also be operated from Anantnag for the convenience of the people of south Kashmir.

Jammu Srinagar highway opens partially

Vaishno Devi pilgrimage resumes, 200 ill in Banihal 

As pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi resumed this morning after a night-long halt, one-way traffic was restored at Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Due to outbreak of viral fever, at-least 200 people fell ill in Banihal villages in absence of medicare and doctors.Reports from Reasi said that pilgrimage to Mata Vaishnodevi resumed this morning after a night-long halt due to extreme cold and snowfall around the cave shrine in the Trikuta hills.“Yatra has begun this morning as routine. It was suspended last evening due to extreme cold triggered by heavy snowfall in the shrine area and enroute,” official reports said.“Yatra is going on smoothly. There is no problem to pilgrims,” reports said, adding that there was heavy snowfall in and around the cave shrine triggering extreme cold wave conditions yesterday. The shrine and its adjoining Trikuta hills received the season's first snowfall on January 6.

Despite cold wave conditions, the pilgrimage was going on till last evening, but no one was allowed from the Katra base camp towards the shrine later.Our correspondent Khawaja Sharjeel reports from Banihal that after two days the 300-km long National Highway re-opened for one-way trafic, today. All the stranded 115 vehicles carrying essential commodities which where stranded at Chanderkot and Ramban were allowed to move towards Kashmir at about 5 PM today. 120 vehicles carrying essential commodities crossed Jawahar Tunnel at 9 PM.BEACON authorities removed snow on one side at National Highway early today and completed the job at 2:30 PM upto Jawahar tunnel. Meanwhile, bulldozers were pressed into service to remove landslides at Gangru Ramsu at about 4:30 PM and then traffic was allowed to move towards Kashmir.

Reports from Trigam, Charwari Nallah, Put Nallah, Kacharbass, Padder Ara, Ara, Takri, Guri, Gunz, Kumbla, Thakdhar Ara, Ahma and Tragan revealed that some viral infection had spread in these areas. People are suffering from cough and fever. At least 200 people have suffered due to this viral infection, official reports said.The people infected by viral fever are forced to move on foot for at-least 4 kilometers to reach the Primary Health Center (PHC) Khari. It was learnt that viral infection occured due to non-availability of drinking water and use of snow melted water. No doctors or medicare facilities were available in these areas.When contacted, Tehsidhar Banihal Niyaz Ahmed Wani, he said PHE department and Health department authorities have been asked to provide necessary facilities to the people and DDC Ramban has also been informed. He told KTNS that all departments like PHE, Health, PDD and PWD are monitoring the situation keenly.

Due to heavy rains, landslides were reported at Seri Ramban, Maroog, Nashri, Digdool, Khooni Nallah and Panthal. A snow avalanche also struck at Nachllana causing no loss to life and property which was cleared about 4:30 PM. Two residential houses were reportedly damaged at Ramban and Parnot besides one Government Middle School at Trana Khari.Power was also restored after one day by PDD Banihal at town and adjoining villages of Banihal incliding Chanjloo, Malwat, Gujnarh Krawah, Parastan, Phago, Chamalwas, Neel, Pogal, Ukhall, Panthal, Khari, Trigam and Trana. The clearance of snow at Banihal link roads was also started by PWD Banihal and only the roads under IRCON are yet to be cleared except Kaskoot Banihal.

A big Chinar tree at Kaskoot suffered cracks and there are chances of damage to two big homes and Jama Masjid Kaskoot, in case the tree collapses. People of Kaskoot requested Tehsidhar Banihal and district administration for help so that heavy loss can be prevented timely.

Police communique claimed that heavy avalanches took place in Nachalana, Sherbibi and Shermili Water Fall areas due to recent heavy rainfall. To expedite the widening of the national highway, police alongwith about 100 personnel along with spades and other equipments reached the spot and widened the path for safer passage.

The communique further claimed that cops rescued nine migrant families in Sangaldan area and these were shifted to PWD building near Sangaldan. Couple of families were shifted from Barakund and Hall area to safer places and 10 families from village Kurzi, 5 families from village Hargam, 1 family each from village Mangit and Aramdhaka.

The cops evacuated 3 LMVs from snow prone area and rescued 12 passengers in Ramsoo, 4 LMVs from snow prone area and rescued 16 passengers in Nowgam while the track was cleared by the police leading to Masjid at Banihal.

Passengers were accommodated at safer places in Batote and Ramban areas and 260 loadcarrier vehicles were allowed to move towards valley.In Jammu stranded passengers protested at General Bus Stand demanding early arrangements for their shifting to respective destinations.

Snowfall in Kashmir highway closed

Kashmir valley witnessed snowfall today closing the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway that was re-opened for traffic early this week after remaining closed for four days due to heavy snowfall in the Pir Panchal mountains.

The valley was in a thick blanket of snow early in the morning after it starting snow last night across Kashmir valley.

The Director Meteorological office in Srinagar, Sonam Lotus today said that the western disturbance is presently active here will start weakening from Monday evening. "Till then, snowfall will continue with intermittent breaks. The higher reaches may receive heavy snowfall," he added.

The Jammu Srinagar-National Highway where last week snow has affected the movement of the traffic badly was closed in the morning after over night snowfall in Jawhar Tunnel. Around 1.6 feet snow was recorded near the Jawahar Tunnel forcing the closure of highway.

Summer capital of the State, Srinagar received over six inches of snow and the snowfall continued is still continuing.

Gulmarg had received over one foot of fresh snowfall, Pahalgam four inches, Ganderbal town seven inches, Badgam six inches, Bandipora six inches, Baramulla six inches, Shopian four inches and Anantnag town two inches.

Despite, the snowfall the minimum temperature in Srinagar was recorded at minus 3.5 degrees Celsius; it was minus 6.9 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam and minus 9.6 degrees Celsius in Gulmarg. 

Snow clearance was started early in the morning in Srinagar but after the clearance the roads in Srinagar city have become more slippery as the temperature is still subzero resulting in skidding of vehicles.

Despite the fresh snowfall, electricity supply was not affected in Kashmir. Last week it was due to heavy snowfall in the South of Pir Panchal that resulted in the disruption of the electric supply as the main transmission lines had got snapped.

Srinagar Leh Gurez road reopen

With the improvement in weather after three days, Srinagar-Leh highway and Bandipora-Gurez road was re-opened for traffic after snow fall blocked them early this week.

The Sun came out in Kashmir valley after three days bringing some respite to the people from continuous chill and icy weather conditions. However, in the afternoon chilly conditions returned to the Valley.

Both the day and night temperatures in the summer capital of the State saw some improvement. This gave some relief to the people as the entire Kashmir valley has been reeling under intense cold wave conditions since November 8.

After improvement in weather, the authorities re-opened the Srinagar-Leh highway and Bandipora-Gurez road for vehicular traffic today. Both these routes had to be closed for the traffic on the evening of November 8 due to the snowfall and slippery conditions at some of the places.

The Zojila area on the Srinagar-Leh highway had witnessed heavy snowfall and, as a result, the highway connecting Kashmir with Ladakh division had to be closed. The Bandipora-Gurez road was also closed for vehicular traffic as some of the areas witnessed heavy snowfall and the road became slippery.

An official of the Meteorological department said that the weather conditions were normal in Kashmir valley on Friday. He said that no report of fresh rain or snowfall has come from any place of the Valley today adding that higher reaches of the Valley also witnessed normal weather conditions.

"In Srinagar the day temperature was recorded as 14.2 degrees Celsius while as the minimum temperature was 7.5 degrees Celsius. Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 30.0 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature 18.0 degrees Celsius," said the MeT official.

He said that weather is expected to remain dry in Kashmir valley over the next 24 hours adding that isolated places may receive light rains or snowfall.

At the same time, the civil authorities have asked the Air Force officials to make necessary arrangements to ferry the civilians stranded at Srinagar and Jammu due to the closure of Srinagar-Leh highway. They have been asked to make arrangements for future as well so that people who get stranded at Srinagar and Jammu due to flight cancellations to Kargil are ferried as the winter season had already set in.

"Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon today directed all the stakeholders to take necessary steps so that passengers of areas like Kargil, Zanskar, Leh and Gurez that remain cut-off due to heavy snowfall; do not face any difficulty, especially in the event of flight cancellations due to bad weather. The Kargil Courier service would operate between Srinagar-Kargil on every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and between Kargil-Jammu on every Tuesday," said Aamir Ali, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) with Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.

Aamir said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed with Ministry of Defence under which AN-32 Kargil Courier service would be operated between Srinagar-Kargil and Kargil-Jammu. He said under the MoU MI-17 Air Force flights between Bandipora-Gurez and Kargil-Zanskar would be operated.

"State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) has been directed to make adequate arrangements for transportation of passengers from Kargil House Bemina to Srinagar airport and back. Director, Airports Authority of India, Srinagar has been directed to make necessary arrangements at Srinagar airport," said Aamir.

He said instructions have been given to Deputy Commissioners concerned to deploy Liaison Officers for operationalization of the air service between Kargil-Zanskar and Bandipora-Gurez. He said tickets would be issued on first come first serve basis and priority shall be given to ladies, old persons, infants and patients.

Aamir has been nominated as the overall nodal officer and he has been authorized to liaise and coordinate with State Civil Aviation Department and IAF authorities, on behalf of Divisional Administration Kashmir, for day to day matters related to AN-32 Kargil Courier service and MI-17 flights.

UNI adds from Shimla:

High reaches of Himachal Pradesh experienced a heavy snowfall snapping terrestrial link with Leh in Jammu and Kashmir and Pangi in Chamba district of the State during past 24 hours.

Official spokesman of Lahaul-Spiti district administration Sher Singh said that since last night Manali-Leh highway was blocked for vehicular traffic as Baralacha Passes had heavy spell of snowfall.

However 13050 ft high, Rohtang pass was still open for traffic recorded about 15 cm snowfall. Lady of Keylong, Seven sister's hill and Petsio in district reported fresh spell of snowfall.

Road link of Pangi subdivision in Chamba district also snapped with rest of nation as Sachpass received recorded about 3 ft thick snowfall, while life is also out of gear in Bharmour, Churaha and Chamba sub-division.

Snowfall also hampered search operation launched by Indian Air Force (IAF) to find wreckage and black box of MIG 29 crashed on Oct 18 in the Chokhang hills of Thirot village in Lahaul Spiti district at altitude of 15000 to 20000ft.

Tisa in Chamba district registered 6 mm rainfall, Keylong and tourist resort Manali 1 mm each, Saloni and Manali -1 each rainfall.

Minimum temperature improved in the State, as Bhuntar in Kullu, Dharamshalla in Kangra, Shimla and Sundernagar in Mandi recorded 13 degree Celsius each, Kalpa in Kinnuar 7.5 degrees, Una 15 degrees, Mandi 14.7 degrees, Nahan in Sirmour 16 degrees, Keylong 5.6 degrees, Palampur in Kangra 15.5 degrees and Solan 10 degrees, respectively.

The MeT Office forecast mainly dry weather in the State during next 24 hours.