SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police has issued a fresh traffic advisory for November 8, allowing passenger vehicles and goods carriers to ply in both directions on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), subject to favourable weather and road conditions.
The advisory comes amid slow traffic movement reported on the highway due to single-lane stretches, uneven road surfaces, ongoing construction work and the movement of nomadic herds.
According to the Traffic Police Headquarters, very slow movement was observed between November 6 and 7 at Dawal in Udhampur, as well as on the single-lane stretch between Marog and Kishtwari Pather. A vehicle breakdown at Nachlana and the movement of a nomadic herd crossing the Banihal-Nachlana stretch also affected traffic flow.
Traffic is likely to remain slow between Marog and Kishtwari Pather due to the continued movement of nomadic herds. Commuters have been advised to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking to prevent congestion.
The Traffic Police has advised passengers and light motor vehicle (LMV) operators to undertake their journeys on the Jammu-Srinagar highway during daytime and avoid night travel due to the risk of shooting stones and landslides, movement of nomads from the Valley and ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
Meanwhile, the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will remain restricted on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch between 7 am and 7 pm in view of widening work being carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The movement of tankers carrying inflammable material through tunnels is also restricted. Upward-bound tankers will be allowed beyond Chenani only between 5 pm and 5 am.
For November 8, LMVs, passenger vehicles, private cars, passenger vehicles and heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) carrying goods will be permitted to travel from both Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa, subject to favourable weather and road conditions. The Traffic Control Units (TCUs) at Jammu and Srinagar will coordinate with the Ramban control unit regarding the highway’s status.
Security Forces vehicles will also be permitted to move in both directions, subject to favourable weather and road conditions, after confirmation of the highway’s status from TCU Ramban.
On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244), LMVs and private cars will be allowed from both sides after clearance from road maintenance agencies and subject to favourable weather and road conditions. Vehicles will be permitted from Police Post 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 road, also known as the SSG Road, LMVs will be allowed to ply in both directions, subject to favourable weather, good road conditions and clearance from road maintenance agencies. Vehicles will be permitted from Sonamarg towards Kargil and Minamarg towards Srinagar until 1 pm.
HMVs will be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar between noon and 5 pm, with no vehicle permitted after 5 pm. Motorists have been advised to carry and use anti-skid chains to improve tyre grip on slippery stretches.
On the Mughal Road (NH-701A), LMVs followed by HMVs with a maximum of 10 tyres will be permitted to travel in both directions, subject to favourable weather, road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agency, GREF.
Vehicles will be allowed from Chandimarh (Bafliaz) towards Shopian and from Herpora (Shopian) towards Poonch between 7 am and 6 pm. No vehicle will be permitted after the prescribed cut-off time.
The Traffic Police has also advised operators of goods carriers transporting fresh perishables and livestock to load their vehicles in accordance with its periodic advisories, keeping in view the risk of shooting stones, landslides and ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
Heavy vehicle operators have been asked to avoid overloading, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and carry sufficient fuel before undertaking journeys. Commuters have also been advised against unnecessary stops between Ramban and Banihal, particularly near landslide- and shooting stone-prone areas.
The Traffic Police has urged commuters to confirm road conditions before travelling through its control units in Jammu (0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732, 103), Srinagar (0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091, 103), Ramban (9419993745, 1800-180-7043), Udhampur (8491928625), PCR Kishtwar (9906154100) and PCR Kargil (9541902330, 9541902331).
