Fresh snowfall blocks Srinagar-Jammu highway again

The Srinagar-Jammu highway, which was briefly opened a day earlier to clear stranded traffic, was again closed Wednesday due to fresh snowfall.

“It is snowing in Banihal and Patnitop sectors of the highway. The fresh snowfall is impeding our road clearance operations,” said an official of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) here.

“The road was opened for traffic Tuesday afternoon, but we allowed only stranded vehicles to be cleared,” he said.

“Today the highway is closed for traffic. Passengers should contact the local traffic office or consult our internet enabled advisory at the tourist reception centre grounds in Srinagar.”

The BRO official said priority would be given to stranded vehicles after the highway is restored for traffic.

The over 300-km long highway is maintained by the BRO whose men and machines perform round the clock duties to keep the highway operational.

Avalanches and landslides frequently occur on the highway during winter months, resulting in closure of the landlocked valley’s only road link with the rest of the country.