Batote-Doda-Kishtwar highway connecting twin districts of Chenab region – Doda and Kishtwar – with rest of the state was closed Wednesday morning when a huge landslide hit the road at Khaleeni area, 10 kms from Doda town.
More than 150 passenger vehicles and those carrying essential commodities got stranded on the highway.
“The highway got closed early morning at 7:30 after huge landslide/mudslide at Khelleni area. After reaching the spot, we immediately informed the R&B/PWD authorities about the same. The men and machinery reached the spot to clear the highway,” said DySP Traffic Doda-Kishtwar, Zohaib Hassan.
“After hectic efforts the highway was opened for one way traffic at 9:30 a.m. and all stranded vehicles were cleared,” the DySP said, adding that after clearing the stranded vehicles, the road was fully restored at 12 noon.