SRINAGAR: Traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained slow at several stretches due to single-lane traffic, poor road surface, construction activity and other operational constraints, the Traffic Police Headquarters, J&K, said in its latest advisory.
According to the advisory issued for the period from 4 pm on September 19 to 4 pm on September 20, very slow movement was observed on the NH-44 due to single-lane traffic at Dawal in Udhampur and on the single-lane stretch between Marog and Kishwari Pather. The situation was further affected by the breakdown of three vehicles between Ramban and Banihal and the movement of six nomadic herds crossing at Banihal-Nachlana.
Traffic was also being managed in a regulated manner at Dawal, Udhampur, where single-lane movement was available for around 30-40 metres.
The Traffic Police advised passengers and light motor vehicle operators to preferably undertake travel on the Jammu-Srinagar highway during daytime, while avoiding night journeys due to the possibility of shooting stones and landslides, movement of nomadic groups from valley areas and ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
It said commuters should follow lane discipline and avoid unnecessary overtaking, particularly on vulnerable stretches.
In view of widening works being undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla axis, the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will remain restricted during daytime between 7 am and 7 pm. Tankers carrying inflammable material will also be restricted through tunnels.
The advisory said upward movement of tankers would be allowed beyond Chenani only between 5 pm and 5 am, and tanker operators have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly.
Goods carrier operators transporting fresh, perishable and live-stock consignments have been advised to load vehicles in accordance with advisories issued by the Traffic Police from time to time, keeping in view the possibility of shooting stones, landslides and construction activity between Ramban and Banihal.
The Traffic Police has also asked heavy motor vehicle operators and owners to desist from overloading, ensure adequate fuel and check the fitness of vehicles before undertaking the journey.
For September 21, subject to fair weather and good road conditions, passenger vehicles, private cars and goods carriers will be allowed to ply from both sides of the Jammu-Srinagar NH-44. Commuters have been advised to maintain lane discipline, while overtaking and wrong-lane driving have been discouraged.
Security Forces convoys will also be permitted to move from both sides of the highway, subject to weather and road conditions and after confirmation from the Traffic Control Unit (TCU), Ramban.
Traffic plan for other routes
On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag NH-244, light motor vehicles and private cars will be allowed from both sides subject to fair weather, good road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agencies.
Vehicles will be permitted to ply from P.P. Parana 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 timings.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari (SSG) Road, light motor vehicles will be allowed from both sides, subject to fair weather and road conditions and clearance from the maintenance agencies.
Traffic from Sonamarg towards Kargil and vice versa will be regulated, with the advisory specifying movement towards Srinagar from Minamarg only after receiving the green signal from the concerned road maintenance agencies and within the prescribed timings. Heavy motor vehicles from Minamarg towards Srinagar will be allowed between 12 noon and 5 pm.
Motorists have been advised to carry anti-skid chains to gain more grip on slippery stretches, while Security Forces convoys have been asked to regulate their movement so that civilian traffic is not disrupted.
On the Mughal Road (NH-701A), vehicles will be allowed 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 ten times a day, will be permitted.
The advisory said vehicles would be allowed from Chandimarh (Buffliaz) towards Shopian and from Herpora (Shopian) towards Poonch between 7 am and 6 pm, with no vehicle allowed after the prescribed cut-off timings.
The Traffic Police has urged commuters to confirm the status of the road with the concerned Traffic Control Units before undertaking their journey.
