SRINAGAR: The Traffic Police Headquarters, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday issued a detailed traffic advisory for July 29, announcing restrictions on the movement of vehicles along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) and several other key routes in view of road maintenance work and the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
According to the advisory, traffic on NH-44 will operate one-way between Nashri and the NAVYUG Tunnel due to maintenance work on the four-lane carriageway between Ramban and Banihal. Commuters have been advised to check the latest traffic status before undertaking their journey.
The Traffic Police said passenger vehicles travelling from Jammu towards Srinagar should use the Jammu-Srinagar NH-44 and travel only during daytime. Those travelling from Srinagar towards Jammu have been advised to use the old Mughal Road via Poonch and Rajouri. However, commuters have been asked to confirm the road status from the Traffic Control Unit before starting their journey, as movement will depend on weather conditions and road clearance.
Light motor vehicles carrying passengers have also been advised to avoid the old Jawahar Tunnel route and instead use the newer route through the NAVYUG Tunnel.
Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) carrying essential commodities and those loaded after weighing at designated points will be allowed to ply from Jammu towards Srinagar subject to road conditions. Fruit-laden trucks from the Kashmir Valley bound for Jammu have been directed to load and park their vehicles at designated locations before 8 am, while empty vehicles have been instructed to avoid unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, particularly near landslide-prone areas.
The advisory also prohibits overloaded vehicles and warns that any HMV found carrying excess load will not be allowed to proceed.
Traffic Police further announced that only stranded HMVs and those carrying perishable goods would be permitted to move from Qazigund towards Jammu, subject to clearance from road-opening agencies.
Meanwhile, restrictions have also been imposed on several other roads. On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road, LMVs will be allowed from Minamarg towards Sonamarg between 6 am and 10 am and from Sonamarg towards Minamarg between noon and 5 pm. No vehicle will be allowed to move on the route after the cut-off timings.
Movement on the Srinagar-Bandipora-Gurez road will also remain regulated, with vehicles allowed only during specified time slots after road conditions are assessed. Similarly, traffic on the Mughal Road will be permitted only after clearance from the Border Roads Organisation and weather assessment.
The Traffic Police advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rain or adverse weather, which may trigger landslides or shooting stones along vulnerable stretches of the highway.
People have been urged to verify the latest traffic updates through the Traffic Police Twitter handle, Facebook page or the Traffic Control Units before commencing their journey.
