Thursday, January 19 2006 14:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the only road linking Kashmir valley with rest of the country, was thrown open for vehicular traffic this morning after remaining closed for four days due to landslides triggered by heavy snowfall and rains.

The 300-km long highway was thrown open for vehicular traffic, with authorities allowing movement of vehicles from Srinagar to Jammu this morning, official sources said.

Sustained efforts by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which maintains this arterial road, bore fruit last evening when it cleared the highway paving way for stranded trucks with essential supplies to reach their destinations.

However, only one-way traffic would be allowed on the road for the next few days as BRO personnel are on the job to make the highway safe for two-way traffic.

It will still take a few more days before usual two-way traffic would be allowed on the highway, the sources said.

The opening of the road provided much needed relief to the people of the valley as many Kashmiris including Government employees, who were working outside, had returned to their homes to celebrate Eid festival but got stranded due to closure of the highway.

The closure of the highway had also resulted in steep increase in the prices of essential commodities despite an official warning to dealers against black marketing and other unfair means.

Air traffic to the valley has already been restored after a day's suspension on Sunday, sources said adding that the third batch of Hajj pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia are expected to land today at Srinagar airport.