SRINAGAR: Traffic will be permitted in both directions on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) on Monday, October 12, subject to favourable weather and satisfactory road conditions, the Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police said, advising motorists to avoid night travel due to the risk of landslides and shooting stones.
Passenger vehicles, private cars and goods carriers will be allowed to operate between Jammu and Srinagar in both directions. Security forces vehicles will also be permitted to move both ways after the highway’s status is confirmed with the Traffic Control Unit (TCU) in Ramban.
The advisory comes after traffic moved slowly on NH-44 during the previous 24 hours because of single-lane sections and uneven road surfaces at Dawal in Udhampur and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather. Four vehicles broke down between Marog and Ramsoo, while 11 nomadic herds crossed the Banihal-Nachlana stretch, further affecting traffic movement.
The Traffic Police said delays could continue between Marog and Kishtwari Pather due to the movement of nomadic herds. Commuters have been urged to maintain lane discipline and refrain from overtaking or driving on the wrong side of the road to prevent congestion.
Night journeys have been discouraged because of the possibility of landslides and shooting stones, the movement of nomads from the Valley and construction work between Ramban and Banihal. Motorists have also been advised against unnecessary halts, particularly in vulnerable areas along the highway.
Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will face restrictions on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch from 7 am to 7 pm due to widening work being carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Since tankers carrying inflammable material are prohibited from travelling through tunnels, upward-bound tankers will be allowed beyond Chenani only between 5 pm and 5 am.
Tanker operators have been advised to schedule their journeys accordingly. Heavy motor vehicle owners have also been asked to avoid overloading, check the roadworthiness of their vehicles and ensure they carry sufficient fuel. Operators transporting perishable goods and livestock have been instructed to follow the latest traffic advisories in view of the risks posed by landslides, shooting stones and ongoing construction.
On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244), passenger light motor vehicles and private cars will be allowed to travel in both directions, subject to favourable weather, suitable road conditions and clearance from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
Vehicles travelling from Parana towards Anantnag will be permitted between 8 am and 4 pm, while those heading from Daksum towards Kishtwar can move between 9 am and 4 pm. No vehicles will be allowed to proceed beyond the prescribed cut-off times.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari (SSG) road, light motor vehicles will be allowed in both directions, subject to weather and road conditions and clearance from the maintenance agencies. Vehicles travelling from Sonamarg towards Kargil and from Minamarg towards Srinagar will be permitted until 1 pm. Heavy motor vehicles can travel from Sonamarg towards Kargil between noon and 5 pm, with no movement allowed after the cut-off time.
Motorists using the SSG road have been advised to carry and use anti-skid chains on slippery stretches. Security forces have also been asked to schedule convoy movement in a way that does not disrupt civilian traffic.
On the Mughal Road (NH-701A), light motor vehicles followed by heavy vehicles with up to 10 tyres will be permitted in both directions, subject to favourable weather, good road conditions and clearance from the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF).
Vehicles will be allowed from Chandimarh in Poonch towards Shopian and from Herpora in Shopian towards Poonch between 7 am and 6 pm. Movement beyond the prescribed cut-off time will not be permitted.
The Traffic Police have urged commuters to confirm road conditions with the relevant traffic control units before setting out.
For updates, commuters can contact the traffic control units at Jammu on 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732 or 103; Srinagar on 0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091 or 103; Ramban on 9419993745 or 1800-180-7043; Udhampur on 8491928825; Kishtwar Police Control Room on 9906154100; and Kargil Police Control Room on 9541902330 or 9541902331.
