Authorities Thursday said air traffic and train service was resumed in Indian-controlled Kashmir and efforts were underway to allow movement of vehicular traffic on snowbound Srinagar-Jammu highway.

"We have been able to resume air traffic fully at airport," said a senior government official posted in Srinagar. "Train service has also been resumed partially."

Reports said the train service was resumed after two days up to Anantnag, however it was not allowed to proceed to Banihal in wake of accumulation of snow on tracks.

"Efforts are being made to resume the service fully as soon as possible," said the official.

The services were disrupted following heavy snowfall on Tuesday across the region. However the 294 km Srinagar-Jammu highway remained closed Thursday for the third consecutive day. The Srinagar-Jammu road link connects Muslim majority areas of the region to winter capital -- Jammu and Indian states.

"We are trying to clear the stranded vehicles, which include goods carrier and passenger vehicles," said a traffic department official posted at Qazigund. "The highway is likely to be opened for one way traffic tomorrow in case the weather remains dry."

The closure of the road usually results in escalation of prices and shortage of essential commodities in the market.

Traffic department officials Thursday said commuters intending to travel on this track should first ascertain the status of road from the traffic police control units set up at different places.

Reports pouring in from various places said accumulation of snow on inner roads has badly affected the movement of local transport. Officials said they have pressed in men and machines to clear roads.

A government spokesman said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday monitored the restoration of important public services hit by heavy snowfall in the region through video conferencing.

The snowfall also affected electricity and water supply in the snowbound areas. Reports pouring in from Jammu city, the winter capital said more than 500 passengers were stranded at bus stand.

A junior minister Sajad Ahmad Kichloo Thursday said helicopter service would be used for Dachhan, Marwah and Wadwan areas of Chenab Valley to airlift the stranded passengers and patients from these cut off areas. Endi

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