SRINAGAR: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) will remain open for traffic in both directions on November 14, subject to favourable weather and improved road conditions, while the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road and Srinagar-Leh highway will remain closed due to snow accumulation and fresh snowfall, respectively.
According to the traffic plan and advisory issued by the Traffic Police Headquarters, passenger light motor vehicles (LMVs), private cars and heavy motor vehicles carrying goods will be allowed to ply between Jammu and Srinagar in both directions.
Security Forces vehicles will also be permitted to move in both directions, subject to favourable weather and good road conditions. Their movement will be allowed only after confirmation of the highway’s status from the Traffic Control Unit (TCU) Ramban.
Commuters have been advised to maintain lane discipline, as overtaking and wrong-lane driving could lead to traffic congestion. The TCUs at Jammu and Srinagar will coordinate with the Ramban control unit regarding road conditions.
Meanwhile, the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244) has been temporarily closed to vehicular movement due to snow accumulation. The Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) road has also been closed following fresh snowfall along the Zojila axis.
On the Mughal Road (NH-701A), light motor vehicles followed by heavy motor vehicles with a maximum of 10 tyres will be allowed from both directions, subject to favourable weather, good road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agency, the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF).
Vehicles will be permitted from Chandimarh (Bafliaz) towards Shopian and from Herpora towards Poonch only after receiving a green signal from the road maintenance agency. The movement will be allowed until 6 pm, and no vehicle will be permitted beyond the prescribed cut-off time.
The Traffic Police has also advised passengers and LMV operators to prefer daytime travel on NH-44 and avoid night journeys due to the possibility of shooting stones and landslides, besides ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
Very slow traffic movement was recorded on the highway between 4 pm on November 12 and 4 pm on November 13 due to single-lane stretches and uneven road surfaces at Dawal in Udhampur and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather. A vehicle breakdown at Nachlana further affected traffic movement.
Traffic was regulated at Dawal, where a single-lane stretch of approximately 30–40 metres was reported.
In view of widening work being undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch, the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will remain restricted between 7 am and 7 pm. Tankers carrying inflammable material are restricted from passing through tunnels. Up-bound tankers will be allowed beyond Chenani only between 5 pm and 5 am.
The Traffic Police has advised tanker operators to plan their journeys accordingly. Heavy motor vehicle operators have also been asked to avoid overloading, ensure vehicle fitness and carry sufficient fuel.
Commuters have been advised to avoid unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, particularly near landslide- and shooting stone-prone areas, and confirm road conditions with the respective traffic control units before starting their journeys.
