SRINAGAR: Traffic Police Headquarters, Jammu Kashmir, has issued a traffic advisory for October 4, outlining movement restrictions and route-specific arrangements on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road and Mughal Road.
The advisory said very slow traffic movement was observed on NH-44 between October 2 and 3 due to a single-lane stretch at Dawal in Udhampur, a breakdown of four vehicles between Ramban and Banihal and the movement of nomadic herds crossing the Banihal-Nachlana stretch.
Traffic on the highway is being managed in a regulated manner at Dawal, where the single-lane portion extends for around 30-40 metres. The Traffic Police advised commuters to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking.
Passengers and light motor vehicle operators have been advised to undertake journeys on the Jammu-Srinagar highway during daytime, while night travel has been discouraged due to the possibility of shooting stones and landslides, movement of vehicles from valleys and ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
In view of widening work being undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on the Dipgal-Khooni Nalla stretch, movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will remain restricted during daytime from 7 am to 7 pm. Tankers carrying inflammable material through tunnels will be allowed beyond Chenani only after 5 pm and up to 5 am.
The advisory also urged goods carrier operators transporting fresh and live stock to load vehicles as per the prescribed capacity, citing the possibility of shooting stones, landslides and construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
Heavy motor vehicle operators and owners have been asked to avoid overloading, ensure sufficient fuel before undertaking journeys and check the fitness of their vehicles. Commuters have also been advised against unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, particularly near landslide- and shooting-stone-prone areas.
Subject to fair weather and good road conditions, light motor vehicles, passenger vehicles, heavy passenger vehicles, private cars and heavy motor vehicles carrying goods will be allowed to ply on NH-44 from both sides between Jammu and Srinagar.
The advisory has directed commuters to follow lane discipline, warning that overtaking and wrong-lane driving could lead to congestion. Traffic Control Units in Jammu and Srinagar will coordinate with the Ramban unit regarding road conditions.
Security Forces convoys will also be allowed to move in both directions, subject to fair weather and good road conditions, after confirmation of the highway status from the Traffic Control Unit, Ramban.
On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road, light motor vehicles and passenger/private cars will be allowed from both sides after a green signal from the road maintenance agencies. Vehicles will be permitted 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-Gumri road, light motor vehicles will be allowed from both sides between Srinagar and Kargil and vice versa, subject to fair weather and good road conditions and after receiving a green signal from the road maintenance agencies.
Vehicles travelling from Sonamarg towards Kargil will be allowed between noon and 5 pm, while no vehicle will be permitted after 5 pm. Motorists have been advised to carry anti-skid chains while travelling on the slippery stretch.
On the Mughal Road, light motor vehicles followed by heavy motor vehicles up to 10 tyres will be allowed from both sides, subject to clearance from the road maintenance agency and fair weather and good road conditions.
Vehicles will be allowed from Poonch towards Shopian and vice versa, with movement from Chandimarh (Buffliaz) towards Shopian and Heerpora towards Poonch permitted between 7 am and 6 pm. No vehicle will be allowed to proceed after the prescribed cut-off timings.
Traffic Police have advised people to undertake journeys only after confirming the status of the roads from the concerned Traffic Control Units.
