SRINAGAR: The Traffic Police has permitted two-way movement of passenger vehicles and goods carriers on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) on Monday, November 2, subject to favourable weather and road conditions, while advising motorists to avoid night journeys amid the risk of shooting stones, landslides and ongoing construction work.
According to the traffic advisory issued by the Traffic Police Headquarters, Jammu and Kashmir, passenger light motor vehicles (LMVs), private cars and heavy motor vehicles carrying goods will be allowed to ply from both Jammu towards Srinagar and in the opposite direction.
Security Forces vehicles will also be permitted to travel in both directions after confirmation of the highway’s status from the Traffic Control Unit (TCU) Ramban.
The advisory follows reports of very slow traffic movement on NH-44 between 4 pm on October 31 and 4 pm on November 1, particularly at Dawal in Udhampur and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, where single-lane stretches and uneven road surfaces affected vehicular movement. The breakdown of two vehicles between Marog and Nachlana further contributed to delays.
The Traffic Police said movement along the single-lane section between Marog and Kishtwari Pather could remain slow due to the movement of nomadic herds. At Dawal, traffic is being regulated along a single-lane stretch measuring around 30–40 metres.
Motorists have been asked to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking or driving on the wrong side to prevent congestion.
The authorities have particularly advised passengers and LMV operators to undertake journeys during daylight hours. Night travel has been discouraged due to the possibility of shooting stones and landslides, besides the movement of nomadic herds and construction activities between Ramban and Banihal.
Meanwhile, the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch will remain restricted between 7 am and 7 pm in view of widening work being undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Tankers carrying inflammable material are restricted from passing through tunnels and will be allowed beyond Chenani only between 5 pm and 5 am.
The Traffic Police has advised tanker operators to plan their journeys accordingly.
Goods carriers transporting fresh perishable commodities and livestock have been asked to follow the latest traffic advisories. Heavy vehicle operators have also been directed to avoid overloading, ensure their vehicles are mechanically fit and carry sufficient fuel.
Commuters have been advised against unnecessary stoppages between Ramban and Banihal, particularly near landslide- and shooting stone-prone stretches.
On other highways, the Traffic Police has announced separate movement timings for November 2.
On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244), passenger LMVs and private cars will be allowed in both directions, subject to favourable weather, good road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agencies (NHIDCL).
Vehicles travelling from PP Parania towards Anantnag will be allowed between 8 am and 4 pm, while those moving from Daksum towards Kishtwar can ply between 9 am and 4 pm. No vehicle will be permitted beyond the prescribed cut-off timings.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari (SSG) road, LMVs will be allowed to travel in both directions after clearance from road maintenance agencies. Vehicles from Sonamarg towards Kargil and Minamarg towards Srinagar will be permitted until 1 pm.
Heavy motor vehicles will be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar between noon and 5 pm, with no movement permitted after 5 pm. Motorists have been advised to carry and use anti-skid chains due to slippery road conditions.
Security Forces convoys on the SSG road have been asked to schedule their movement in a manner that does not disrupt civilian traffic.
On the Mughal Road (NH-701A), light motor vehicles followed by heavy vehicles with a maximum of 10 tyres will be permitted in both directions after clearance from the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), subject to favourable weather and road conditions.
Vehicles from Chandimorh in Bafliaz towards Shopian and from Herpora in Shopian towards Poonch will be allowed between 7 am and 6 pm. No vehicle will be permitted after the stipulated cut-off time.
The Traffic Police has advised commuters to confirm the latest road conditions with the respective Traffic Control Units before embarking on their journeys.
