SRINAGAR: Traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) will remain regulated at several vulnerable stretches on Tuesday in view of slow movement, single-lane sections, uneven road surfaces and the possibility of rain, the Traffic Police Headquarters, J&K, said.
According to the traffic advisory, very slow movement was observed on NH-44 between 4 pm on August 16 and 4 pm on August 17 due to a single-lane, undulating and uneven stretch at Dhalwas in Udhampur and another single-lane stretch between Marog and Kishtwari Pather. The movement was further affected by the breakdown of two vehicles at Nachlana and Marog.
Traffic has been regulated at Dhalwas, where about 30-40 metres of the highway remains single-lane.
The Traffic Police said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a spell of rainfall over the next few days and advised commuters to undertake journeys only after confirming the status of the highway from the Traffic Control Units (TCUs) at Srinagar, Ramban or Jammu. Travellers have also been asked to check updates on the J&K Traffic Police’s social media platforms before starting their journey.
Passengers and Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) operators have been advised to prefer daytime travel on the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Night travel should be avoided due to the possibility of shooting stones and landslides, besides ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal, which could cause inconvenience to commuters.
Operators of goods carriers, including Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) and LMVs carrying fresh perishable goods or livestock, have been advised to load their vehicles strictly as per the advisories issued by the Traffic Police Headquarters. The department said the possibility of shooting stones and landslides, coupled with ongoing construction between Ramban and Banihal, could disrupt movement.
HGV/HMV operators and owners have also been asked to desist from overloading, carry sufficient fuel and ensure the fitness of their vehicles before undertaking the journey on NH-44.
Commuters have been advised against unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, particularly near landslide- and shooting-stone-prone areas.
Subject to fair weather and better road conditions, LMVs, passenger vehicles, HPVs, private cars and good carriers will be allowed to ply on both sides of NH-44, from Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa.
The Traffic Police has advised motorists to follow lane discipline and avoid overtaking, wrong-side driving and other practices that could lead to congestion. TCUs Jammu and Srinagar will coordinate with TCU Ramban regarding the condition of the highway before regulating movement.
Subject to fair weather and good road conditions, security forces vehicles will be allowed to move on both sides of NH-44 between Jammu and Srinagar.
However, security forces convoys will move only after confirming the status of the highway with TCU Ramban.
On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road, only LMVs, including passenger and private cars, will be allowed from both sides, subject to fair weather, good road conditions and a green signal from the road maintenance agencies.
As per orders issued by the SDM Chatroo and SDM Kokernag, vehicles will be allowed from P/H Parnna towards Anantnag between 8 am and 4 pm and from Daksum towards Kishtwar between 9 am and 4 pm.
No vehicle will be allowed after the prescribed cut-off time. TCU Jammu, TCU Ramban and TCU Srinagar will inform concerned motorists about the cut-off timings.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road, LMVs will be allowed from both sides—Srinagar towards Kargil and vice versa—subject to fair weather, good road conditions and a green signal from the road maintenance agencies.
LMVs will be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil and from Minamarg towards Srinagar up to 1 pm after receiving clearance from the road authorities.
HMVs will be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar between noon and 5 pm, while no vehicle will be permitted to move after 5 pm.
The Traffic Police has advised motorists travelling on the route to carry and use anti-skid chains to improve grip on slippery roads.
TCU Srinagar and PCR Kargil will communicate the cut-off timings to concerned commuters. Security forces have also been asked to plan their movement on the SSG road in a manner that does not disrupt civilian traffic.
Subject to fair weather, good road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agency (GREF), vehicular movement on Mughal Road will be allowed in both directions, with LMVs followed by HMVs of up to 10 tyres.
Vehicles will be allowed from Chandimard (Buffliaz) towards Shopian and from Herpora in Shopian towards Poonch between 7 am and 6 pm.
No vehicle will be allowed to proceed after the prescribed cut-off time.
The Traffic Police said the timings have been fixed in accordance with orders issued by the District Magistrate, Shopian. TCU Jammu and TCU Srinagar will inform commuters about the cut-off timings.
The Traffic Police has advised people to undertake journeys only after confirming the road status with the respective Traffic Control Units.
For Jammu, commuters can contact 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732 or 103; Srinagar TCU can be reached at 0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091 or 103; Ramban at 9419993745 or 1800-180-7043; Udhampur at 8491928625; PCR Kishtwar at 9906154100; and PCR Kargil at 9541902330 or 9541902331.
The J&K Traffic Police regularly issues road-specific advisories and cut-off timings through its official advisory portal.
