Traffic on Srinagar-Jammu national highway suspended

Authorities suspended traffic on the 300-km Srinagar-Jammu national highway this afternoon, owing to slippery conditions caused by heavy snowfall, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded.

The traffic on the highway, the only road linking Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, was suspended as a precautionary measure at around 1.10pm, as heavy snowfall between Qazigund to Banihal rendered the road slippery, a spokesman of the traffic control said here.

He said it was still snowing heavily in the 45-km stretch including Jawahar Tunnel — the gateway to Kashmir — and so far, over three inches of snow had accumulated on the ground.

Inclement weather is hampering road clearance operations launched by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which maintains the highway, the spokesman said.

He said all Srinagar-bound vehicles were stopped at Banihal, while those heading for Jammu have been stopped at Qazigund, 80 km from here.

Meanwhile, air traffic at the Srinagar International Airport was also disrupted owing to "bad weather".

"Only one flight could operate so far, while rest of the eight flights scheduled for the day were cancelled," official sources said.

Police officials said over 200 vehicles are stranded as result of the closure near the Banihal tunnel.