SRINAGAR: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) will remain open to traffic from both directions on November 10 and 11, subject to favourable weather and satisfactory road conditions, with the Traffic Police advising commuters to avoid night journeys due to the risk of shooting stones, landslides and ongoing construction work.
According to the traffic advisory issued by the Traffic Police Headquarters, Jammu and Kashmir, light motor vehicles (LMVs), passenger vehicles, private cars and heavy motor vehicles carrying goods will be allowed to ply between Jammu and Srinagar and vice versa.
Security Forces vehicles will also be permitted to move in both directions, subject to favourable weather and road conditions. Their movement will be undertaken after confirmation of the highway’s status from the Traffic Control Unit (TCU) Ramban.
The advisory comes amid slow traffic movement on NH-44 between November 8 and 9, attributed to single-lane stretches and uneven road surfaces at Dewal in Udhampur and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather. The breakdown of two vehicles at Ramsoo and Nachlana also affected traffic movement.
The Traffic Police said the movement of nomadic herds along the Marog-Kishtwari Pather stretch could further slow down traffic. Commuters have been advised to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking and wrong-lane driving to prevent congestion.
Traffic is also being regulated at Dewal, Udhampur, where a 30-40-metre stretch of the highway has been reduced to a single lane.
Passengers and LMV operators have been advised to undertake journeys during daytime and avoid night travel due to the possibility of shooting stones and landslides, movement of nomadic herds from the Valley and construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
In view of widening work being undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) along 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 not permitted to pass through tunnels. Consequently, upward-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. Operators of goods carriers transporting fresh perishable commodities and livestock have also been asked to follow the loading advisories issued by the department.
Heavy motor vehicle operators have been advised against overloading and asked to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and carry sufficient fuel before undertaking journeys. Commuters have also been advised against unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, particularly near landslide- and shooting stone-prone areas.
On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244), passenger LMVs and private cars will be allowed from both directions, subject to favourable weather, good road conditions and a clearance from the road maintenance agency, NHIDCL.
As per orders issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrates of Chatroo and Kokernag on July 9, vehicles will be allowed from PP Parana towards Anantnag between 8 am and 4 pm, while those travelling from Daksum towards Kishtwar will be permitted between 9 am and 4 pm. No vehicle will be allowed beyond the prescribed cut-off timings.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road, LMVs will be allowed from both directions, subject to favourable weather and road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agencies. Vehicles from Sonamarg towards Kargil and Minamarg towards Srinagar will be permitted to move until 1 pm.
Heavy motor vehicles will be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar between noon and 5 pm, with no vehicle permitted after 5 pm. Motorists have been advised to carry and use anti-skid chains for better grip on slippery roads. Security Forces convoys have been asked to plan their movement without disrupting civilian traffic.
On Mughal Road (NH-701A), LMVs followed by HMVs 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, GREF.
Vehicles from Chandimarh (Baffliaz) towards Shopian and Herpora (Shopian) towards Poonch will be permitted between 7 am and 6 pm. No vehicle will be allowed after the prescribed cut-off timings, in accordance with the order issued by the District Magistrate, Shopian, on July 3.
The Traffic Police has advised commuters to confirm road conditions before starting their journeys. For updates, commuters can contact the Traffic Control Units in Jammu at 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732 or 103; Srinagar at 0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091 or 103; Ramban at 9419993745 or 1800-180-7043; Udhampur at 8491928825; PCR Kishtwar at 9906154100; and PCR Kargil at 9541902330 or 9541902331.
