With no movement of security convoy scheduled during the day, civilian traffic was allowed on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway on Wednesday, when it was supposed to be used exclusively by security forces under an official order, authorities said.
On April 7, it was announced that the 270-km highway will beoff-limits for civilian traffic twice a week—Wednesday and Sunday—from 4am to5pm till May 31 to facilitate smooth movement of security convoys.
The order came following a militant attack in Pulwama onFebruary 14, which left 40 CRPF personnel dead.
The restrictions drew strong criticism from variousquarters, especially political parties, civil society and business community inthe Valley.
“Normal traffic was allowed on the highway from Jammu toSrinagar this morning after the nodal agency, the CRPF, telephonically informedthat there will be no movement of security convoy during the day,” a trafficdepartment official told PTI.
However, he said a landslide hit the highway at Anokhi fallnear Ramban around 7am which was cleared within two hours by the road clearanceagency to ensure smooth movement of traffic.
The landslide was triggered by rains which lashed wide partsof Jammu and Kashmir including the highway Tuesday, he said.
“The traffic is moving smoothly when last reports werereceived,” the official said, adding no vehicle was allowed from the oppositedirection in view of the one-way restrictions which are in force due to theongoing work on the four-laning project.
The traffic on the highway plies alternatively from the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar to ensure smooth movement of the vehicles.