The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway NH-44 remained closed for a third consecutive day on Sunday due to fresh snowfall in parts of Kashmir, an official said.
Hundreds of vehicles are stranded along the 270-kilometre-long highway at Qazigund, Banihal, Ramban, and Udhampur after the road was closed due to heavy snowfall.
Commuters were stranded at choke points like the Jakhani Chowk in Udampur. Passengers in private vehicles, buses, and trucks were seen stuck for hours amid the freezing temperatures without shelter, food, or information.
The traffic piled at Jakani Showk, and movement completely stopped.
The Border Roads Organisation conducted snow clearance operations at the Zojila pass on Srinagar-leh national highway.
Fresh snowfall, however, hampered the BRO’s work in south Kashmir and the Chenab valley. Officials said that the highway cannot be reopened until snow is cleared and landslide-prone areas are stabilised and road surface conditions are improved, to the Kashmir Post.
Srinagar airport was reopened and is going through normal operations after the BRO ensured a rapid clearance of snow at the runways. Air travel is currently the safest option for movement in the valley.
Most train services are operational and running. However, the Banihal–Baramulla rail section continues to remain suspended as snow accumulated on the tracks.
The railways also proposed the operation of a special train on January 27 and 28 due to unusually heavy passenger rush between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SMVDK) and Srinagar (SINA) following road closures and suspension of flight operations due to adverse weather.
The train will run on the path of the non-operational Vande Bharat Express to maintain rail connectivity on the busy Katra–Srinagar section.
Officials said the initiative is to help provide relief to passengers who are stranded due to the difficult weather and ease the congestion on the Katra Srinagar corridor.