Srinagar-PoK bus service suspended due to landslides

SRINAGAR: The weekly 'Karvan-e-Aman' bus service between Srinagar and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) was today suspended after landslides triggered by incessant rains blocked the 170-km road across the Line of Control (LoC), officials said.

The bus service which was scheduled for today was suspended after authorities in PoK informed about the Uri-Muzaffarabad stretch being blocked at several places due to landslides triggered by heavy rains, the officials said.

They said the passengers were accordingly informed well in time about the suspension of the service.

The officials said the Srinagar-Uri stretch of the road was traffic-worthy.

Both sides of Kashmir have been experiencing intermittent snowfall in the high altitude areas and incessant rains since Friday.

Launched on April 7, 2005, the bus service was considered as a major Confidence Building Measure (CBM) between India and Pakistan as it facilitates the meeting of divided families on either side of the LoC.

The bus does not cross the LoC but drops the passengers at 'Aman Sethu' (peace bridge) along the LoC in Uri sector. The passengers from either side cross the bridge on foot and board the waiting vehicles to reach their destinations.