SRINAGAR: Traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained very slow over the past 24 hours due to single-lane stretches, uneven road surfaces, vehicle breakdowns and the movement of nomadic herds, the Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police said on Monday.
In its advisory issued for October 27, the Traffic Police Headquarters said slow movement was recorded between 4 pm on October 25 and 4 pm on October 26, particularly at Dawal in Udhampur and along the Marog-Kishtwari Pather stretch. Three vehicle breakdowns between Ramban and Ramsoo and the movement of three nomadic herds crossing Banihal-Nachlana also affected traffic flow.
The department said traffic at Dawal was being regulated because of a single-lane stretch measuring around 30-40 metres. The movement of nomadic herds is also likely to slow traffic along the Marog-Kishtwari Pather section.
Commuters have been advised to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking to prevent congestion. Passengers and light motor vehicle (LMV) operators have also been urged to undertake journeys on the Jammu-Srinagar highway during daylight hours and avoid night travel because of the risk of shooting stones and landslides, nomadic movement from the Valley and ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
The advisory also cautioned goods carriers transporting fresh produce and livestock against travelling without considering the prevailing road conditions. Heavy and light motor vehicle operators have been asked to follow the department’s advisories, avoid overloading, check vehicle fitness and carry sufficient fuel.
Motorists have further been advised against unnecessary stops between Ramban and Banihal, particularly near landslide-prone and shooting-stone zones.
For October 27, the Traffic Police said passenger vehicles, private cars, passenger vehicles operating as HPVs and goods carriers would be permitted to travel in both directions on NH-44, subject to favourable weather and road conditions. Security Forces convoys would also be allowed to move in both directions after confirming the highway’s status with the Traffic Control Unit (TCU), Ramban.
The department said the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers would remain restricted during daytime on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch because of widening work being carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Tankers carrying inflammable material are restricted from passing through tunnels, and vehicles travelling towards Kashmir would be allowed beyond Chenani only after 5 pm and until 5 am.
On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244), LMVs and private cars will be permitted in both directions, subject to favourable weather, good road conditions and clearance from road maintenance agencies. Vehicles will be allowed from PP Parana towards Anantnag between 8 am and 4 pm, and from Daksum towards Kishtwar between 9 am and 4 pm. No vehicle will be permitted beyond the prescribed cut-off times.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road, LMVs will be allowed in both directions after clearance from road maintenance agencies, with movement from Sonamarg towards Kargil and Minamarg towards Srinagar permitted until 1 pm. Heavy motor vehicles travelling from Minamarg towards Srinagar will be allowed between noon and 5 pm, with no vehicles permitted after 5 pm.
Motorists using the route have been advised to carry and use anti-skid chains because of slippery road conditions. Security Forces convoys have been asked to plan their movement to avoid disrupting civilian traffic.
On the Mughal Road (NH-701A), LMVs followed by heavy motor vehicles with a maximum of 10 tyres will be allowed in both directions, subject to favourable weather, good road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agency, GREF. Vehicles will be permitted from Chandimarh in Baffliaz towards Shopian and from Herpora in Shopian towards Poonch between 7 am and 6 pm. No vehicle will be allowed to proceed after the prescribed cut-off time.
The Traffic Police has urged commuters to confirm road conditions and traffic timings with the respective control units before starting their journeys.
For updates, commuters can contact the Traffic Control Unit in Jammu at 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550 or 9419147732; Srinagar at 0194-2450022 or 2485398; Ramban at 9419993745; and Udhampur at 8491928625. The emergency traffic helpline is 103.
