ISLAMABAD: The Lowari tunnel will remain closed to all kind of vehicular traffic during the nighttime for the safety of motorists and to avoid any untoward incident, National Highway Authority said in an advisory issued here on Friday.

It said the prevailing extreme weather conditions and heavy snowfall in the area and slippery roads necessitated the closure of the tunnel. The tunnel will remain closed from 8pm to 6am, the NHA stated, adding during day time the tunnel will remain opened from 6am to 8am, 9am to 12pm, 2pm to 5pm and 6pm to 8pm.

The NHA said speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour would be observed strictly, and that no vehicle either passenger or goods would be allowed through the tunnel during the passage of fuel tankers.

The chief operating officer of the tunnel is authorised to close it in case of accumulation of smoke or any other emergency. However, ambulance and vehicles carrying patients or bodies, vehicles of law enforcement agencies, police, NHA and motorway police would be allowed during the closure timings.

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2019