SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police has issued a detailed traffic advisory for August 22, cautioning commuters about possible disruptions on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) and other major roads due to forecast rainfall, ongoing road widening work, landslide-prone stretches and regulated movement of heavy vehicles.
The advisory said very slow traffic movement was observed on NH-44 between August 20 and 21 due to a single-lane stretch, undulating and uneven road surface at Dawal in Udhampur, besides the single-lane stretch between Marog and Nachilani in Ramban district. The movement was further affected by breakdowns of vehicles at Digdo and Ramban.
In view of the inclement weather forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), with a likelihood of rainfall over the next few days, the Traffic Police has advised commuters to undertake journeys only after confirming the status of the road from the Traffic Control Units (TCUs).
The department has also advised passengers and light motor vehicle operators to prefer travelling on NH-44 during the daytime and avoid night journeys between Ramban and Banihal due to the possibility of shooting stones, landslides and ongoing construction work.
The Traffic Police said traffic was being regulated at Dawal in Udhampur, where the highway has been reduced to a single lane for about 30–40 metres.
Meanwhile, in view of widening work being undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) along the Digdo-Khooni Nalla axis, the movement of Kashmir-bound HMVs and gas tankers will remain restricted during the daytime between 7 am and 7 pm, as tankers carrying inflammable material are not being permitted through the tunnel during this period.
The movement of such tankers will be allowed beyond Chenani after 4 pm up to 7 pm, the advisory said, asking tanker operators to plan their journeys accordingly to avoid inconvenience.
Goods carriers transporting perishable items and livestock have been advised to load their vehicles according to the schedule issued by the Traffic Police Headquarters, keeping in view the possibility of shooting stones and landslides and ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
HMV operators and owners have also been asked to refrain from overloading their vehicles and ensure sufficient fuel during the journey. Vehicle owners have been advised to check the fitness of their vehicles before undertaking travel on NH-44.
Commuters have further been advised to avoid unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, particularly near landslide- and shooting-stone-prone areas.
Subject to fair weather and good road conditions, LMVs, passenger vehicles, private cars and good-condition commercial vehicles will be allowed to ply from both sides on NH-44 between Jammu and Srinagar and vice versa.
Commuters have been asked to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking from the wrong lane, which could cause congestion. The Traffic Control Units at Jammu and Ramban will coordinate regarding the road conditions.
Security Forces vehicles will also be allowed to move from both sides on NH-44, subject to fair weather and good road conditions. Their movement will be undertaken after confirmation from the concerned authorities.
On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244), LMVs, passenger vehicles and private cars will be allowed to ply from both sides, subject to fair weather, good road conditions and a green signal from the road maintenance agency.
Vehicles will be permitted to move from P.P. Pora towards Anantnag between 8 am and 4 pm, while traffic from Daksum towards Kishtwar will be allowed between 8 am and 4 pm.
No vehicle will be permitted to proceed after the prescribed cut-off timings. The Traffic Control Units at Jammu, Ramban and Srinagar will inform commuters about the cut-off timings.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road, LMVs will be allowed from both sides between Srinagar and Sonamarg and vice versa, subject to fair weather and good road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agencies.
Heavy motor vehicles will be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil and from Minamarg towards Srinagar only after receiving a green signal from the road maintenance agencies and up to 1 pm.
HMVs travelling from Minamarg towards Srinagar will be allowed between 12 noon and 5 pm, while no vehicle will be permitted after 5 pm.
Motorists have been advised to carry and use anti-skid chains to maintain a better grip on the slippery road.
Security Forces convoys on the SSG Road have been asked to plan their movement in a manner that does not inconvenience civilian traffic.
On the Mughal Road, LMVs followed by HMVs up to 10 tyres will be allowed to ply from both sides between Poonch and Shopian and vice versa, subject to fair weather, good road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agency.
Vehicles will be allowed from Poonch towards Shopian and from Herpora towards Poonch between 7 am and 7 pm. No vehicle will be permitted to proceed after the prescribed cut-off timings.
The Traffic Control Units at Jammu and Srinagar will inform commuters about the cut-off timings.
The Traffic Police has urged commuters to confirm road conditions before starting their journey and follow instructions issued by the respective Traffic Control Units.
