SRINAGAR: Traffic Police have advised commuters to undertake travel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) during daytime hours and avoid night journeys between Ramban and Banihal due to the risk of landslides, shooting stones, movement of nomadic herds and ongoing construction work.
The advisory, issued by Traffic Police Headquarters, Jammu and Kashmir, said slow traffic was observed on NH-44 between 6 pm on October 3 and 6 pm on October 4 due to uneven road surfaces at Dawal in Udhampur, single-lane traffic between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, vehicle breakdowns between Ramban and Banihal and the movement of seven nomadic herds.
Traffic at Dawal is being regulated over a 30-40 metre single-lane stretch. Commuters have been advised to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking on the Marog-Kishtwari Pather stretch.
For October 5, subject to fair weather and road conditions, light motor vehicles, passenger vehicles, private cars and heavy motor vehicles carrying goods will be allowed to travel on NH-44 in both directions. Security forces vehicles will also be permitted to move in both directions subject to favourable weather conditions and confirmation from the Traffic Control Unit, Ramban.
The Traffic Police advised drivers to avoid wrong-lane driving, overtaking and unnecessary halts, particularly between Ramban and Banihal and near landslide- and shooting-stone-prone stretches.
The movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will remain restricted between 7 am and 7 pm due to NHAI widening work on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla axis. Tankers carrying inflammable material are not permitted through tunnels, while up-tankers will be allowed past Chenani only between 5 pm and 5 am.
Operators transporting perishable goods or livestock have been advised to follow police instructions while loading their vehicles. Heavy motor vehicle operators have also been asked to avoid overloading, ensure vehicle fitness and carry sufficient fuel before starting their journeys.
On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag NH-244, light motor vehicles and private cars will be permitted in both directions, subject to weather, road conditions and clearance from NHIDCL. 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 movement will be permitted after the respective cut-off times.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road, light motor vehicles will be allowed in both directions subject to weather conditions and clearance from road maintenance agencies. Traffic from Sonamarg towards Kargil and Minamarg towards Srinagar will be allowed up to 1 pm.
Heavy motor vehicles will be permitted from Minamarg towards Srinagar between noon and 5 pm, with no traffic allowed after 5 pm. Motorists have been advised to carry anti-skid chains for slippery road surfaces.
On Mughal Road (NH-701A), subject to weather and GREF clearance, light motor vehicles followed by heavy motor vehicles of up to 10 tyres will be permitted in both directions between Poonch and Shopian. Traffic will be allowed from Chandimarh (Baffliaz) towards Shopian and Herpora towards Poonch between 7 am and 6 pm in accordance with District Magistrate orders.
Traffic Police have advised travellers to confirm road conditions with the concerned Traffic Control Units before starting their journeys.
The Jammu TCU can be contacted on 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732 and 103; Srinagar TCU on 0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091 and 103; Ramban TCU on 9419993745 and 1800-180-7043; Udhampur TCU on 8491928825; PCR Kishtwar on 9906154100; and PCR Kargil on 9541902330 and 9541902331.
