SRINAGAR: Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) will be allowed in both directions on October 28, subject to favourable weather and road conditions, while commuters have been advised to avoid night travel due to the risk of shooting stones, landslides and ongoing road construction.
According to the Traffic Police Headquarters, traffic movement on NH-44 remained very slow during the 24-hour period ending at 4 pm on October 27 due to single-lane stretches at Dawal in Udhampur and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, along with three vehicle breakdowns between Ramban and Nachlana and the movement of four nomadic herds across the Banihal-Nachlana stretch.
The police said traffic at Dawal was being regulated through a single-lane stretch measuring around 30-40 metres. The movement of nomadic herds is also likely to slow traffic between Marog and Kishtwari Pather.
Passengers and light motor vehicle operators have been advised to travel during daylight hours and avoid unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, particularly near landslide-prone and shooting-stone areas.
For October 28, passenger light motor vehicles, private cars and goods carriers, including heavy vehicles, will be permitted to travel from Jammu towards Srinagar and in the opposite direction, subject to favourable weather and road conditions. Security Forces convoys will also be allowed to move in both directions after confirming the highway status with the Traffic Control Unit (TCU) Ramban.
The police have urged motorists to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking and wrong-lane driving to prevent congestion. Heavy motor vehicle operators have also been asked to avoid overloading, check their vehicles’ fitness and carry sufficient fuel.
Other roads
On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244), passenger light motor vehicles and private cars will be permitted in both directions, subject to favourable weather, good road conditions and clearance from road maintenance agencies.
Vehicles will be allowed from PP Parana towards Anantnag between 8 am and 4 pm, and from Daksum towards Kishtwar between 9 am and 4 pm. No vehicle will be allowed beyond the prescribed cut-off times.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road, also known as the SSG road, light motor vehicles will be permitted in both directions, subject to road clearance. Vehicles will be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil and from Minamarg towards Srinagar until 1 pm.
Heavy motor vehicles will be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil between noon and 5 pm, with no vehicle permitted after 5 pm. Motorists have been advised to carry and use anti-skid chains because of slippery road conditions.
On Mughal Road (NH-701A), light motor vehicles followed by heavy vehicles of up to 10 tyres will be allowed in both directions after clearance from the road maintenance agency and subject to favourable weather and road conditions.
Vehicles will be permitted from Chandimarh in Baffliaz towards Shopian and from Herpora in Shopian towards Poonch between 7 am and 6 pm. No vehicle will be allowed after the prescribed cut-off time.
Oil tanker restrictions
The movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will remain restricted during daytime on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch of NH-44 due to widening work being undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India.
As the movement of tankers carrying inflammable material is restricted through tunnels, up-bound tankers will be allowed beyond Chenani only after 5 pm and until 5 am. Tanker operators have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly.
Goods carriers transporting fresh perishable items and livestock have been advised to follow traffic police instructions, considering the risk of shooting stones, landslides and construction-related disruptions between Ramban and Banihal.
The Traffic Police have urged commuters to confirm road conditions before starting their journeys.
For updates, commuters can contact the Traffic Control Unit Jammu at 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550 or 9419147732; Srinagar at 0194-2450022, 0194-2485396 or 18001807091; Ramban at 9419993745 or 1800-180-7043; Udhampur at 8491928625; PCR Kishtwar at 9906154100; and PCR Kargil at 9541902330 or 9541902331. The emergency traffic helpline number is 103.
