SRINAGAR: The Traffic Police Headquarters, Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday issued a fresh traffic advisory for the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), urging commuters and transport operators to avoid night travel and follow revised movement timings due to slow traffic, road conditions and the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.
According to the advisory, slow movement of traffic was witnessed on NH-44 between Mehar and Kishtwari Pather because of single-lane road conditions, besides a breakdown of three vehicles between Ramban and Banihal.
The Traffic Police said inter-district movement of local commuters within Jammu and Kashmir will be facilitated till 11:30 pm at Nagrota (Jammu) and Qazigund after verification of valid photo identity cards, which commuters must carry during the Yatra period.
Private vehicle owners travelling towards Srinagar have been advised to use the old road via Jawahar Tunnel to avoid congestion at the Banihal bypass. Similarly, commuters travelling to Batote, Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar and adjoining areas have been advised to use the old road via Patnitop while travelling from Jammu to avoid congestion at Nashri.
The advisory asked passenger vehicle operators to undertake journeys on the Jammu-Srinagar highway during daytime only, warning that night travel should be avoided due to the risk of shooting stones, landslides and ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal. The movement of Shri Amarnath Yatra convoys may also cause delays, it said.
Operators of heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) carrying fresh perishable goods and livestock have been advised to follow traffic police instructions and load their vehicles as per the notified schedule. Fruit growers and transporters have also been asked to load and park vehicles in a regulated manner at designated locations to facilitate smooth movement.
The Traffic Police further directed HMV operators not to overload vehicles, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and carry sufficient fuel before undertaking the journey. Commuters have also been advised against unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, particularly in landslide-prone stretches.
For July 14, LMVs, passenger vehicles and private cars will be allowed to ply on NH-44 from both Jammu and Srinagar sides, subject to fair weather and better road conditions. However, HMVs carrying goods will be allowed on an alternate-day basis, while traffic control units (TCUs) at Jammu and Srinagar will regulate vehicle movement after assessing highway conditions.
The advisory also notified revised cut-off timings for private vehicles. Vehicles travelling from Nagrota to Srinagar will be released between 7 am and 12 noon, from Jakhani (Udhampur) to Srinagar between 8 am and 1 pm, and from Qazigund to Jammu between 11:30 am and 5:30 pm. No vehicle will be permitted beyond these cut-off timings.
In view of the Amarnath Yatra, the Traffic Police said trucks carrying empty fuel tankers, empty LPG cylinders, empty FCI challans and other empty vehicles returning to Jammu will be diverted through the Mughal Road. Certain light HMVs carrying up to 10 tonnes of perishable commodities will also be allowed to use the Mughal Road on designated days.
Special movement plans have also been issued for Army and Border Security Force convoys, which have been advised to maintain adequate spacing from Yatra convoys to avoid disruption to civilian traffic.
Separate traffic arrangements have also been notified for the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road, the Srinagar-Gurez (Bandipora) road and the Mughal Road, all subject to weather and road conditions.
The Traffic Police advised commuters to check the latest traffic status before starting their journey and follow instructions issued by traffic control units. Assistance can be obtained from the Traffic Control Units at Jammu, Srinagar, Ramban, Udhampur and PCR Kashmir and Kargil.
