Srinagar, Feb 8 (IANS): Continued closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway forced divisional administration on Thursday to announce rationing of petroleum products in the Valley.
In a directive to all district development commissioners, Divisional Commissioner, Basheer Ahmad Khan ordered rationing of petroleum products till the supply improves.
The closure of Jammu-Srinagar highway through which all essential supplies including petroleum products are routed to the landlocked Valley has caused serious shortages of essential items here.
The Divisional Commissioner's directive said all petrol pumps will give only three litres of petrol per vehicle per day till further orders.
Similarly, commercial vehicles will be given only 10 litres of diesel per vehicle per day.
The divisional commissioner has also directed various oil companies not to release more than 1,000 litres of petrol and diesel per pump per day.
Heavy snowfall in Bannihal sector on Thursday evening blocked the north portal of the Jawahar Tunnel as over Three feet of snow accumulated on the highway in this sector.
Landslides at some places in Ramsoo-Ramban sector also occurred during the day.
Traffic department has said the decision whether or not to open the highway would now be taken on Friday.