Srinagar, July 8: Thousands of passengers, including tourists, were stranded on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Wednesday after authorities halted the movement of Jammu-bound vehicles near the Navyug Tunnel in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
The suspension of traffic left hundreds of vehicles lined up along the highway from the Navyug Tunnel to Mir Bazar, causing long delays and inconvenience to commuters travelling towards Jammu.
Traffic authorities did not immediately disclose the reason behind the prolonged halt. However, officials said that traffic on the stretch is routinely suspended during morning hours to facilitate the safe movement of convoys carrying pilgrims undertaking the ongoing Shri Amarnath Yatra.
Passengers, including families, tourists and other travellers, remained stranded for several hours as they waited for traffic to resume. The traffic disruption came at a time when vehicular movement on the highway has been witnessing increased regulation due to the annual pilgrimage and ongoing traffic management measures.
Officials said efforts were underway to clear the congestion and restore the movement of vehicles at the earliest.
“We are making all possible efforts to resolve the issue and resume traffic on the highway as soon as possible,” traffic authorities said.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is the only all-weather road linking the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country and frequently witnesses temporary traffic restrictions during the Amarnath Yatra to ensure the safe passage of pilgrim convoys.
