Srinagar: The traffic on Srinagar Bandipora highway on Wednesday came to a grinding halt for several hours after the residents of Saderkoot Payeen blocked it protesting against shortage of potable water in the area.

Witnesses said the residents blocked the road highway early morning and continued for several hours.

The eyewitnesses quoting local residents said that Ganie Mohalla of Saderkoot is without potable water for several days thereby causing immense hardships to the residents.

The locals claimed that they have taken up the issue with the concerned authorities several times but they have failed to address their issues, forcing them to come on roads.

By the time this report was being filed, a police party led by an officer reached the spot to pacify the protesters and to restore traffic on the highway.