Srinagar-Jammu Highway Reopens for Heavy Vehicles After Three Weeks
SRINAGAR: The Srinagar-Jammu national highway reopened for heavy vehicles on Wednesday after a three-week closure, allowing hundreds of fruit-laden trucks from Kashmir to resume their journey across the country.
The highway had been shut following heavy rains and flash floods, leaving numerous trucks stranded for days. While the 270 km-long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH44) had been partially reopened last week for light vehicles, heavy trucks were only allowed movement starting Wednesday.
“Our priority is to clear the maximum number of fruit-laden vehicles stranded along the highway,” said Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic-Rural) Ravindra Singh. He added that vehicles waiting at fruit mandis will also be cleared on a priority basis.
Singh urged drivers to adhere to traffic advisories, particularly regarding the movement of heavy vehicles, and to avoid overtaking, warning that violations could trigger accidents and further road blockages.
The highway had suffered significant damage due to incessant rains and flash floods last month, prompting the prolonged closure of this vital arterial route.
