Srinagar: Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world, reopened after remaining closed for more than 15 hours following major stone-slide at near Dewal Bridge in Udhampur and blasting in Banihal, officials said on Wednesday.

“From 20-12-2022, 1700 hours to 1700 hours on 21-12-2022, Jammu-Srinagar highway remained blocked for 12 hours 32 minutes due to stoneslide near Dewal Bridge (Udhampur) and for 4 hours and 30 minutes due to blasting at Kishtwari Pather (Banihal). However, both the blockage overlapped with each other and the cumulative time remained 15 hours 2 minutes,” a traffic department official told said .

Likewise, vehicular movement from Jammu to Chenani, Patnitop, Doda, Ramban, Gool, Banihal Srinagar and vice-versa had also been suspended.

“Traffic released from both ends on Jammu-Srinagar highway after clearance of debris (single carriageway).”

He said subjected to fair weather and road clearance, LMVs passenger and private cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar highway viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Mughal Road, connecting twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri with Shopian, as well as SSG road, was through for traffic movement, the official added. (GNS)

Reader correspondent