Srinagar, Apr 01: The traffic along the National Highway at Bijbehara area in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district was diverted on Monday afternoon as the Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to conduct a trial run of the 3.5 km long emergency landing facility.
Earlier, the traffic department has issued an advisory stating that no heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) will be allowed on the highway from 4 am on Monday to 7 am on Tuesday in view of “urgent repairs and upgradation of the airstrip stretch” near Bijbehara in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
“Light motor vehicles (LMV) shall be diverted to the old national highway alignment between Alistop and Doonipora, including Wanpoh, Khanabal, Batengoo, Padshahi Bagh and Bijbihara. Truck drivers are advised to avoid their journey on the highway from 4 am on April 1 (Monday) to 7 am on April 2 (Tuesday),” the advisory reads.
Tight security arrangements have been made since morning to ensure smooth conduct of trial run, reports reaching INS said.
Sukhoi fighter aircraft and Tejas light combat fighters are likely to participate in the trial run.
Pertinently, the construction work on the facility was started in 2020 at the cost of Rs 119 crore.