Jammu, Jan 14 : The Jammu-Srinagar, the only road link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world, remained closed for traffic on the fourth running day on Thursday.
The 260-kilomter thoroughfare was closed at 6:20 p.m. on January 10 after retaining wall of key bridge collapsed suddenly.
“Jammu-Srinagar highway shall remain closed due to sudden collapse of retaining wall of a bridge near Kela Morh, Ramban, repairing work is going on. However, Jammu-Doda-Kishtwar, Jammu-Ramban, Gool Sangaldan, Magerkot- Banihal, and Banihal-Qazigund stretches are through for local traffic,” a traffic department official said, adding, “People are requested to take their journey accordingly.”
While there is no optional carriageway available nearby, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) has started construction of a Bailey Bridge to restore the traffic on the highway. Officials said the make-shift bridge would be completed in next two to three days.
In this connection, District Development Commissioner (DDC), Ramban, Nazim Zai Khan inspected the progress on the construction of the Bailey Bridge besides repairing work of damaged concrete bridge, at Kela Morh.
He informed that traffic would start on the Highway within 2-3 days through Bailey bridge on which the work is in progress on war footing.
He said that the National Highway Authority of India is already working day and night to repair the damaged bridge which will take a few days because of huge volume of work.
He directed the executing agencies to speed up the construction work at both sites to restore the road for hassle free supply of essentials to Kashmir and traffic movement for the conveniences of commuters, an official spokesman quoted him as saying.
He also advised the people to avoid unnecessary travelling and take up the journey only after confirming the status of the road from the traffic police control room.
