Anantnag (Qazigund), Dec 28 (KNO): Inspector General of Police (IGP) Traffic, Suleman Choudhary on Saturday said that more than 1300 Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) are stranded on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Talking exclusively to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), IGP Choudhary said that 465 HMVs are stranded in the Qazigund section of the highway, while 879 HMVs are stuck at various locations, including Ramban, Udhampur, and Jammu.
He said that traffic on the highway has been stopped from both sides. “There was a huge accumulation of snow in Qazigund. Cutter machines have cleared most of the snow, but allowing the movement of vehicles is not possible yet,” he said.
He said that vehicles stranded near the Navyug Tunnel have started moving towards Jammu.
IGP Choudhary said that the restoration of traffic will be reviewed on Sunday after the completion of snow clearance operations.
Meanwhile, in a traffic advisory, the Traffic Police stated:
“Traffic could not be released today on the Jammu-Srinagar NHW due to snow accumulation and slippery road conditions between Navyug Tunnel and Mir Bazar. The Jammu-Srinagar NHW remains closed. Commuters are advised to avoid traveling on NH-44 until the road is clear. A decision regarding vehicular movement on the Jammu-Srinagar NHW will be taken tomorrow after assessing road conditions and receiving clearance from road maintenance agencies.”
The advisory states, Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road is still closed due to snow accumulation.
"Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari Road, Mughal Road and Bhaderwah-Chamba Road are still closed due to snow accumulation," it states.
“People are advised to undertake journey only after confirming status of the road from Traffic Control Units on the following phone numbers: Jammu (0191-2459048, 0191- 2740550, 9419147732, 103); Srinagar (0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091, 103); Ramban (9419993745, 1800-180-7043); Udhampur (8491928625); PCR Kishtwar (9906154100) and PCR Kargil (9541902330, 9541902331)—(KNO)