J&K: Ban on civilian traffic for two days a week on Jammu-Srinagar highway comes into effect

A "complete ban" on civilian traffic on Jammu-Srinagar highway for two days a week came into force on Sunday in order to ensure safe passage for army convoys to pass through the national highway, news agency PTI reported.

The ban will be in effect on Sundays and Wednesdays of every week from 4 am to 5 pm on most parts of the 300-km long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Medical emergency vehicles are exempted from the order.

These restrictions would remain in force till May 31, 2019.

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"The main purpose is to ensure that the security forces are given safe passage so that their movement is faster and secure. District magistrates, SHOs, SDMs, and tehsildars have been deployed so that people can approach them if they require assistance," news agency ANI quoted Jammu Divisional Commissioner Sanjeev Verma as saying.

Asked on people using the highway during the affected days in times of emergency, Verma informed that passes would be issued subject to verification and establishment of the credential of purpose.

"To avoid incidents like Pulwama and Banihal, the highway has been sanitised to ensure safe and secure passage of security forces so that they can reach their destination safely. Troops will be going up and down for deployment during elections or other assignments. So, keeping this in mind, this has been done," Verma added.

The prohibition on the movement of civilian traffic on these two days of each week would be from Baramulla through Srinagar, Qazigund, Jawahar-Tunnel, Banihal, and Ramban till Udhampur.

Echoing similar sentiments, Bhim Singh Tuti, DIG, Udhampur-Ramban range urged the public to cooperate with the administration when the restrictions are in effect.

"Prohibitory orders have been imposed in Ramban and Udhampur districts. The adequate number of personnel has been deployed. We urge the public to cooperate with us. Plying of two-way traffic is difficult. At some places, landslides are frequent, which increases the vulnerability of the troops. After the

Banihal incident, this decision has been taken," he said.

In the event of any requirement for local traffic movement for any emergency or for other purposes, the local administration and police would evolve necessary procedures for this as is done during curfew days.

The restrictions come in the wake of February 14 terrorist attack on CRPF convoy in Pulwama district while it was on its way from Jammu and Srinagar. It was attacked by a suicide car bomber in which 40 personnel were killed.

Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Subsequently, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, during his visit to Kashmir, had announced that no civilian traffic movement would be allowed during the convoy days.

(With inputs from agencies)