SRINAGAR: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) will remain open for two-way traffic on Friday, November 13, subject to favourable weather and improved road conditions, while the Srinagar-Leh highway and Mughal Road remain temporarily closed due to continuous snowfall, according to the Traffic Police advisory.
The Traffic Police Headquarters, Jammu and Kashmir, said passenger light motor vehicles (LMVs), private cars, passenger vehicles and heavy motor vehicles (HMVs), including goods carriers, would be allowed to travel from both Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa on NH-44.
The movement of Army and other security forces’ convoys will also be permitted in both directions, subject to favourable weather and road conditions. Security forces have been advised to confirm the highway status with the Traffic Control Unit (TCU), Ramban, before commencing their journey.
The advisory comes amid reports of very slow traffic movement on NH-44 during the 24 hours ending at 4 pm on November 12. Traffic authorities attributed the sluggish movement to single-lane stretches, an uneven road surface at Dawal in Udhampur, the single-lane section between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, and the breakdown of a vehicle at Dalwas.
Traffic was regulated at Dawal, where a stretch of around 30–40 metres has been reduced to a single lane.
Passengers and LMV operators have been advised to undertake journeys on the Jammu-Srinagar highway during daylight hours and avoid night travel because of the risk of shooting stones and landslides, besides ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
The Traffic Police also advised commuters to maintain lane discipline, warning that overtaking and wrong-lane driving could lead to congestion.
Sinthan Road traffic
On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag National Highway (NH-244), passenger LMVs and private cars will be allowed to move in both directions, subject to favourable weather, good road conditions and a green signal from the road maintenance agencies (NHIDCL).
As per the orders issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrates of Chatroo and Kokernag, vehicles will be allowed from PP Parana towards Anantnag between 8 am and 4 pm, while traffic from Daksum towards Kishtwar will be permitted between 9 am and 4 pm.
No vehicle will be allowed to proceed after the respective cut-off timings. The Traffic Control Units in Jammu, Ramban and Srinagar will coordinate and inform commuters about the timings.
Oil and gas tanker restrictions
Meanwhile, the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch of NH-44 will remain restricted during daytime, between 7 am and 7 pm, in view of widening work being undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
The Traffic Police said tankers carrying inflammable material were restricted from passing through tunnels. Accordingly, upward-bound tankers will be allowed beyond Chenani only after 5 pm and up to 5 am.
Tanker operators have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly.
Goods carrier operators transporting fresh perishable commodities and livestock have also been asked to load their vehicles in accordance with traffic advisories, keeping in view the possibility of shooting stones and landslides along the Ramban-Banihal stretch.
Heavy motor vehicle operators have been advised against overloading and asked to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy and carry sufficient fuel before undertaking the journey.
Commuters have also been advised against unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, particularly near landslide- and shooting stone-prone locations.
Two major roads remain closed
The Srinagar-Leh highway, also known as the SSG Road, has been temporarily closed to vehicular traffic due to continuous snowfall along the Zojila axis.
The Mughal Road (NH-701A) has also been closed following continuous snowfall at Peer Ki Gali.
The Traffic Police have urged commuters to confirm the latest road status from the respective Traffic Control Units before starting their journeys.
For assistance, commuters can contact TCU Jammu at 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550 or 9419147732; TCU Srinagar at 0194-2450022, 2485396 or 18001807091; and TCU Ramban at 9419993745 or 1800-180-7043. Other helplines include Udhampur (8491928625), PCR Kishtwar (9906154100) and PCR Kargil (9541902330, 9541902331).
