SRINAGAR: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) will remain open for traffic from both directions on November 7, subject to favourable weather and road conditions, even as the Traffic Police have warned of slow movement at several stretches and advised commuters to avoid night travel.
According to the traffic advisory issued by the Traffic Police Headquarters, Jammu and Kashmir, passenger light motor vehicles (LMVs), private cars, passenger vehicles and goods-carrying heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) will be allowed to ply from Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa on Saturday.
The decision comes amid very slow traffic movement reported on NH-44 between 4 pm on November 5 and 4 pm on November 6 due to single-lane road stretches and uneven surfaces at Dawal in Udhampur and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather. The situation was further aggravated by the breakdown of three vehicles between Marog and Nachlana and the crossing of a nomadic herd between Banihal and Nachlana.
The Traffic Police said traffic on the Marog-Kishtwari Pather stretch could remain slow due to the continued movement of nomadic herds, advising motorists to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking.
At Dawal, traffic is being regulated through a single-lane stretch measuring approximately 30 to 40 metres.
Passengers and LMV operators have been advised to undertake journeys during daylight hours and avoid night travel due to the risk of shooting stones and landslides, movement of nomadic herds from the Valley and ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
Commuters have also been advised against unnecessary stoppages, particularly near landslide- and shooting stone-prone areas between Ramban and Banihal. HMV operators have been asked to avoid overloading, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and carry sufficient fuel before starting their journeys.
Oil and Gas Tanker Restrictions
In view of widening work being undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) along the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch, the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will remain restricted between 7 am and 7 pm.
The restriction has been imposed as vehicles carrying inflammable material are not permitted to pass through tunnels. Upward-bound tankers will be allowed to proceed beyond Chenani only between 5 pm and 5 am.
Tanker operators have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly. Goods carriers transporting fresh perishable commodities and livestock have also been asked to follow the advisories issued by the Traffic Police in view of the possibility of shooting stones, landslides and construction-related delays.
Traffic on Other Roads
On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244), passenger LMVs and private cars will be allowed to ply in both directions on November 7, subject to favourable weather, good road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agency, NHIDCL.
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 to proceed beyond the respective cut-off timings.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari (SSG) road, LMVs will be allowed in both directions, subject to favourable weather, good road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agencies. Vehicles will be permitted from Sonamarg towards Kargil and from Minamarg towards Srinagar until 1 pm.
HMVs will be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil 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 grip on slippery roads. Security forces convoys have been asked to plan their movement to avoid disrupting civilian traffic.
On Mughal Road (NH-701A), LMVs followed by HMVs with a maximum of 10 tyres will be allowed from both directions, subject to favourable weather, good road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agency, GREF.
Vehicles will be permitted from Chandimarh (Baffliaz) towards Shopian and from Herpora towards Poonch between 7 am and 6 pm. No vehicle will be allowed to proceed after the prescribed cut-off timings.
The movement of security forces vehicles on NH-44 will also be permitted in both directions, subject to favourable weather and good road conditions. Security forces have been directed to confirm the highway status with the Traffic Control Unit (TCU) Ramban before proceeding.
The Traffic Police have urged commuters to confirm road conditions with the respective traffic control units before undertaking their journeys.
The contact numbers are: Jammu – 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732 and 103; Srinagar – 0191-2450022, 0191-2485396, 18001807091 and 103; Ramban – 9419993745 and 1800-180-7043; Udhampur – 8491928625; PCR Kishtwar – 9906154100; and PCR Kargil – 9541902330 and 9541902331.
