SRINAGAR: Traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained slow due to single-lane stretches, road damage and uneven surfaces, the Traffic Police said on Sunday, while advising commuters to avoid night travel amid the forecast of heavy rain over the next two days.
According to the traffic advisory, very slow movement was observed on NH-44 between 4 pm on August 8 and 4 pm on August 9 due to single-lane stretches and road conditions at Dalwas, Udhampur, besides a single-lane stretch between Marog and Kishtwar Pathar. The movement of 53 vehicles between Nashri and Ramban was also affected.
Traffic was being regulated at Dawal in Udhampur, where a single-lane stretch of about 30-40 metres was causing congestion.
The Traffic Police advised commuters to undertake journeys only after confirming the road status from traffic control units, particularly in view of the India Meteorological Department’s forecast of a spell of rainfall over the next two days.
Passengers and light motor vehicle operators have been advised to travel on the Jammu-Srinagar highway during the daytime and avoid night journeys due to the possibility of shooting stones and landslides, as well as ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
Goods carrier operators transporting fresh, perishable items and livestock have been advised to load vehicles according to traffic advisories issued from time to time. Heavy motor vehicle operators have also been asked to avoid overloading, carry sufficient fuel and ensure the fitness of their vehicles before undertaking the journey.
Commuters have further been advised to avoid unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, particularly near landslide- and shooting-stone-prone areas.
For August 10, the Traffic Police said light motor vehicles, passenger vehicles, private cars and good carriers would be allowed on NH-44 between Jammu and Srinagar and vice versa, subject to fair weather and good road conditions. Commuters have been asked to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking and wrong-lane driving to prevent congestion.
Security Forces vehicles will also be allowed to move from both sides on the highway after confirmation of road conditions from the Traffic Control Units.
On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag NH-244, light motor vehicles and private cars will be allowed from both sides after receiving clearance from road maintenance agencies. Vehicles will move between Kishtwar and Anantnag during specified daytime hours, with movement from PP Parana towards Anantnag allowed between 8 am and 4 pm and from Daksum towards Kishtwar between 9 am and 4 pm.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road, light motor vehicles will be allowed from both sides subject to fair weather and good road conditions and clearance from road maintenance agencies. Movement of heavy motor vehicles will be regulated during specified hours.
Vehicular movement on the Mughal Road will also be permitted from both sides, subject to fair weather, good road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agency. Light motor vehicles followed by heavy motor vehicles, up to 10 tyres, will be allowed between Shopian and Poonch within the prescribed timings.
The Traffic Police advised people to confirm the status of roads from the respective traffic control units before starting their journey.
