Srinagar(Jammu Kashmir):The traffic movement on the 270-kilometre Jammu-Srinagar national highway was suspended after a portion of the strategic road caved in near Ramban town, officials said on Monday, adding the repair work would take at least five days to restore the arterial route.
According to the officials, a portion of the road near Kela Morh, about four km ahead of the Ramban district headquarters, caved in after a concrete retaining wall of the bridge collapsed.
“The concerned construction company has started the restoration of the road. It will take at least five days to complete the work on the road," Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic), National Highway, Jatinder Singh Jowhar said.
Interestingly, the highway was opened for traffic only on Sunday after remaining closed for seven days following heavy snowfall and multiple landslides triggered by incessant rains.
The SSP, however, asserted that there is no restriction on traffic movement on Jammu-Doda-Kishtwar, Jammu-Ramban, Magerkot- Banihal, and Banihal-Qazigund.
Earlier, the highway was blocked on January 3 due to accumulation of snow and landslides and shooting stones in the wake of heavy snowfall. Many vehicles were stranded on the highway which remained closed for traffic for five days. The road was cleared on Friday, but only stranded vehicles were allowed to pass on January 3.
The chances of snowfall are the most frequent and maximum during this period and most areas, especially in the higher reaches, receive heavy snowfall. While 'Chillai-Kalan' -- which began on December 21 -- will end on January 31, the cold wave continues even after that in Kashmir with a 20-day-long 'Chillai-Khurd' (small cold) and a 10-day-long 'Chillai-Bachha'.
READ:Season's first snowfall hits Kashmir valley
