SRINAGAR: The Traffic Police Headquarters, J&K, has issued an advisory for commuters travelling on major highways and inter-district roads, citing ongoing construction, traffic restrictions and the possibility of adverse weather conditions.
According to the advisory issued for the period from 4 pm on September 23 to 4 pm on September 24, slow traffic was reported on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, particularly around Dalwas, Digdole, Panthyal, Nachlana and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather.
Commuters have been advised to undertake journeys on the highway during daytime and avoid unnecessary travel at night due to the apprehension of shooting stones, landslides and ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
Traffic Police said commuters should avoid halting unnecessarily between Ramban and Banihal, particularly near landslide- and shooting-stone-prone areas.
The advisory also said widening work under the National Highway Authority of India on the Digdole-Khooni Nallah axis has reduced the highway carriageway to a single lane. Movement of heavy motor vehicles and other slow-moving traffic is being regulated in phases to avoid congestion.
Goods carriers, including heavy motor vehicles, have been advised to load their vehicles properly and avoid overloading. Drivers have also been asked to carry sufficient fuel and check the fitness of their vehicles before undertaking journeys.
On the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, passenger and light motor vehicle operators have been advised to follow the scheduled traffic plan and avoid wrong-lane driving.
The advisory said Army and Security Forces vehicles in good weather conditions would be allowed to ply from both sides of the highway between Nashri and Banihal, subject to the status of the NH-44 traffic plan.
Mughal Road
The Traffic Police said the Mughal Road is open for two-way traffic, subject to clearance from the road maintenance agency and weather conditions.
Movement of vehicles will be regulated according to the status of the road, with commuters advised to confirm the latest position before starting their journey.
Sinthan-Kishtwar Road
On the Sinthan-Kishtwar-NH-244 route, the advisory said the road was open for passenger and light motor vehicles, subject to fair weather and good road conditions.
However, traffic has been restricted during certain hours at the Paddar side due to ongoing work, while commuters have been advised to follow the prescribed timings and traffic regulations.
SSG Road
The Traffic Police said the SSG Road was open for traffic subject to weather and road conditions. Movement of traffic from Sonamarg towards Kargil and vice versa would be regulated according to the prescribed timings.
The advisory said heavy motor vehicles and tankers would not be allowed on the route, while motorists have been asked to follow traffic regulations to avoid disruption.
The Mughal Road and other alternate routes are also subject to weather and road conditions, with commuters advised to confirm the status of the roads with traffic control units before starting their journey.
Traffic Police has urged commuters to avoid unnecessary halts, follow lane discipline and remain cautious at vulnerable stretches.
