Date:07/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/07/stories/2006010704581300.htm

National

Essential commodities reach Kashmir Valley

Staff Reporter

Vehicular movement becomes normal as highway opens for civilian traffic

JAMMU: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway 1 A opened for civilian traffic on Friday. With some 1,800 trucks entering the Kashmir Valley, authorities accorded priority to vehicles carrying essential commodities.

The weather too showed improvement, after the cold wave that swept the belt for the last four days. There was bright sunlight. "Vehicular movement has become normal. We were able to send trucks carrying essential commodities," said Amin Khan, DIG (Traffic). With Eid falling on January 11, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has asked officials to stock essential goods.

Leh cut off

Ladakh has borne the brunt of the cold wave. Road and air links have been disrupted. There are two flights a week to Leh and they have been cancelled. Students, studying in different parts of the country, who came home for the winter vacation, are stranded.

Ladakhi legislators have demanded an increase in the frequency of flights. The road link with Ladakh is cut off for six months every year as Zojila Pass, gateway to the region, closes.