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Srinagar, Aug 27: The 270-km-long Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir with rest of the world remained closed for the third consecutive on Thursday following landslides and shooting stones, triggered by incessant rain for last few days.

Official sources said that the strategic thoroughfare remained shut for the third day on Thursday due to landslides and shooting stone at Dalwas where a portion of road was washed away, Panthyal, Mehar, Trishul Morh, Cafeteria Morh, Ironstand Digdol, Monkey Morh, Mom Passi Battry Chashma etc. Between Nashree – Banihal.

“Due to heavy rainfall restoration work is not completed. tomorrow (Friday) no vehicular movement shall be allowed on the highway till restoration work is completed,” a traffic official said.

The official said that men and machinery have been pressed into service to remove the debris.

Hundreds of vehicles including trucks carrying essentials, oil and gas tankers besides passengers are stranded at at several places along the highway.

“Security Forces are advised/requested to undertake journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW-44 only after confirming the status of road from SSP Traffic NHW Sh. J. S. Johar,” reads a traffic police department official in a communication here said.
Meanwhile, according to the communication, the 434-km-long national highway and the historic are through for one-way traffic despite rain.The 86-km-long Mughal road Mughal road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region has been open for only trucks and other load carriers loaded with fresh fruit.

“Road is open for downward traffic. Only Vehicles (load carriers) loaded with fresh fruits shall be allowed from Herpora (Shopian) from 1100 hrs to 1600 hours towards Poonch. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut of timings. Moreover, no passenger vehicle or pedestrian shall be allowed on Mughal Road,” it added (GNS).