SRINAGAR: The Traffic Police Headquarters, J&K, on Tuesday issued a detailed traffic advisory for commuters on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), announcing traffic restrictions and route diversions until July 17 to facilitate the smooth movement of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra convoys.
The traffic department said that subject to fair weather and better road conditions, Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and private cars will be allowed from both Jammu and Srinagar on July 16. However, Traffic Control Units (TCUs) at Jammu and Srinagar shall coordinate with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic.
According to the advisory, LMVs travelling towards Srinagar will have to cross Nagrota (Jammu) between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon, Jakheni (Udhampur) between 8:00 am and 1:00 pm, while LMVs travelling towards Jammu will have to cross Qazigund between 11:30 am and 5:30 pm. No vehicle will be allowed after the prescribed cut-off timings.
The advisory said that after the cut-off timings, inter-district movement of local commuters within Jammu and Kashmir shall be allowed up to 2:30 pm at Nagrota and Qazigund after verification at designated checkpoints during the Yatra period.
Subject to fair weather and road conditions, Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) carrying essential commodities, fuel, LPG, empty oil tankers and other permitted goods vehicles will be allowed only after assessing the prevailing traffic situation. TCUs at Srinagar and Jammu shall coordinate with TCU Ramban before releasing HMVs.
The Traffic Police advised commuters travelling from Jammu to Srinagar to use the old Jawahar Tunnel road instead of the Banihal-Qazigund tunnel, while those travelling to Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah and adjoining areas have been advised to use the Batote-Patnitop road.
Passenger vehicles are advised to travel only during daytime as night traffic remains suspended due to the threat of shooting stones, landslides and ongoing road construction between Ramban and Banihal.
The advisory further asked fruit growers and transporters carrying perishable goods towards Jammu to load and park their vehicles at designated locations before 8:00 am so that their movement can be facilitated after the down convoy. HMV operators have also been advised to avoid overloading, carry sufficient fuel and ensure their vehicles are mechanically fit before undertaking journeys on the highway.
Traffic authorities also advised commuters to avoid unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, particularly in landslide and shooting stone-prone areas.
The advisory said traffic on the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag Road, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri Road, and Mughal Road will also be regulated subject to weather and road conditions.
People have been advised not to undertake journeys on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway without confirming the road status from the Traffic Control Units at Jammu (0191-2459048, 9419147732), Srinagar (0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091), Ramban (9419993745), Udhampur (8491928625), PCR Kishtwar (9906154100) and other designated traffic control rooms.
