SRINAGAR: The Traffic Police Headquarters, Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday issued a fresh traffic advisory for Saturday, saying vehicular movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) will remain subject to weather conditions and road clearance operations following landslides and shooting stone incidents at several locations.
According to the advisory, stranded vehicles will be given priority after the highway is cleared. Traffic officials said the inter-district movement of local commuters between Jammu and Kashmir will be facilitated only after stranded vehicles are cleared, and advised motorists to travel only after confirming the latest road status.
Commuters travelling in private vehicles towards Srinagar have been advised to use the old road via Jawahar Tunnel to avoid congestion at the Navyug Tunnel. Similarly, those heading towards Batote, Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar and adjoining areas have been asked to use the old road via Patnitop while travelling from Jammu.
The advisory said passenger Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) will be allowed to ply on the Jammu-Srinagar highway during the daytime only. Night travel has been discouraged due to the possibility of shooting stones, landslides and ongoing road maintenance works at vulnerable stretches. Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) and other load carriers will be allowed to move only after assessment of road conditions and on the directions of the Traffic Police.
Traffic authorities also urged commuters to avoid travelling without checking the latest highway status. People have been asked to contact Traffic Control Units before starting their journey.
Meanwhile, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained blocked for several hours on Friday due to landslides and shooting stones triggered by incessant rainfall. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded before the road was partially restored, and stranded traffic was later cleared in phases.
The advisory also noted that movement on several other roads remains weather-dependent. On the Mughal Road, only local traffic and LMVs are being allowed subject to road conditions. On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road, only one-way traffic from Minamarg towards Srinagar has been permitted during notified hours. The Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag Road remains open for passenger vehicles under regulated timings, while movement on the Bhaderwah-Chamba Road is restricted to local traffic.
Authorities have advised motorists to follow traffic regulations strictly and avoid overtaking, warning that violations could lead to congestion and delays on the highway. Traffic officials said further decisions regarding the movement of HMVs and other vehicles will be taken after reviewing the prevailing weather and road conditions.
