Srinagar: The Traffic Police on Sunday issued a traffic advisory for July 27, stating that movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) will remain subject to fair weather and improved road conditions after the highway remained closed for over 12 hours due to landslides and vehicle breakdowns.
According to the advisory, the highway remained closed from 4 pm on July 25 to 4 pm on July 26 following landslides at Gangroo in Banihal and the breakdown of three vehicles at Panthyal and Nachlana.
Subject to weather and road conditions, Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY) convoys, light motor vehicles (LMVs), passenger vehicles and private cars will be allowed from both sides of the highway. Heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) will be permitted on alternate days only, with Traffic Control Units (TCUs) in Jammu and Srinagar coordinating with TCU Ramban before releasing traffic.
For LMVs and passenger vehicles, traffic from Nagrota, Jammu towards Srinagar will be allowed between 7 am and noon, from Jakheni, Udhampur between 8 am and 1 pm, and from Qazigund towards Jammu between 11.30 am and 5.30 pm.
HMVs, subject to weather and road conditions, will be allowed from Jakheni, Udhampur, with no HMV movement permitted after 7 pm.
The advisory said empty petrol, diesel and LPG tankers, bulk gas trucks carrying empty LPG cylinders and empty Food Corporation of India (FCI) vehicles returning to Jammu have been directed to use the Mughal Road during the ongoing Amarnath Yatra. Vehicles with up to 10 tyres carrying perishable commodities have also been advised to use the Mughal Road on days when up-convoy movement of HMVs is scheduled on NH-44.
The Traffic Police advised commuters to travel only after confirming the highway status due to the possibility of rain and landslides. It also urged passengers to avoid night travel because of the risk of shooting stones, landslides and ongoing road construction between Ramban and Banihal.
Fruit growers transporting perishable produce from the Kashmir Valley to Jammu have been advised to park their vehicles between the Navyug Tunnel and Levdoora before 9 am on the day of the down convoy.
The advisory further said LMVs will be allowed on the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag highway (NH-244) during specified hours, while both LMVs and HMVs up to 10 tyres will be allowed on the Mughal Road (NH-701A) between 7 am and 6 pm, subject to weather conditions.
The Traffic Police also advised Army and security forces to schedule their movement after the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra convoys to avoid disruption of traffic on NH-44. (GNS)
