Srinagar: Governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday apologised to the public for inconvenience caused due to the ban on civilian traffic on Srinagar-Jammu highway.

However, he asserted that the decision was taken in the national interest.

“I apologise to the people for the inconvenience they have faced due to the highway restrictions. But the ban was imposed in the national interest,” Mr Malik told reporters after inaugurating the second phase of Jahangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover.

The Governor administration on Tuesday announced to lift ban on civilian traffic movement on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway from May 27.

The Government had imposed restrictions in April on civilian movement on the National Highway, connecting Jammu to Srinagar, saying that the order was passed to ensure adequate security to the movement of security force convoys, while at the same time, minimising public inconvenience.

An official spokesperson said that said following a review of the security situation in the state and of the requirement of security forces convoys, the Governor has decided to lift the remaining restrictions on civilian movement on the National Highway connecting, Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, with effect from May 27, Monday.

Earlier, the restriction on civilian movement between Srinagar and Baramulla on the highway was limited to Sunday only with effect from April 22 and later completely lifted from May 2.

Restrictions on the Srinagar Udhampur stretch were limited to just one day from May 13, he said.

After a detailed review on Tuesday with all security agencies, civil and police administration in connection with the preparations for the Amarnath Yatra, the Governor directed that there should be no restriction on civilian movement on highway.