Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri said on Monday that there would be no restrictions on the movement of civilian traffic along the national highway-44 henceforth, given considerable improvement in the overall situation in Kashmir.
The much-improved condition of the 270-km stretch connecting Srinagar with Jammu, Bidhuri said, was also a reason to allow civilian traffic without any inconvenience.
Div Com said the restrictions that were put in place following a terrorist attack on a CRPF convoy near the Lethpora area in Pulwama district of south Kashmir in February 2019, would be totally withdrawn for the convenience of the general population.
“The administration, bearing in mind the difficulties people might have been facing, paid more attention to the highway. The situation has considerably improved and the condition of NH-44 is much better now. Security agencies are reviewing the situation and the decision will be implemented in accordance with the security concerns and convenience of the general population soon,” Div Com told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar.
He said the restrictions on the movement of civilian traffic on the highway were imposed as part of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) following an attack on a CRPF convoy in the year 2019.
“It’s a matter of contentment for everyone including valley fruit growers and the general masses. There would be no restrictions on the movement of heavy motor vehicles (trucks) on the national highway-44, nor will the truckers face any inconvenience henceforth,” Div Com added.
