Srinagar: The Traffic Police on Tuesday said light motor vehicles (LMVs) will be allowed to ply from both sides on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) on Wednesday, subject to fair weather and road conditions, while heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) will continue to operate on an alternate-day schedule.
The advisory comes after slow traffic movement was reported over the past 24 hours due to single-lane stretches and uneven road surface at Dewal in Udhampur and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, as well as the breakdown of four vehicles between Ramban and Banihal.
In view of the forecast of rain over the next few days, commuters have been advised to check the road status with Traffic Control Units (TCUs) at Srinagar, Ramban and Jammu before undertaking their journey.
The Traffic Police said inter-district movement of local commuters within Jammu and Kashmir will not be permitted after the 1 pm cut-off from Nagrota, Jammu, owing to congestion near Dewal. The movement window will open only after the passage of the Shri Amarnath Yatra convoy and verification of valid photo identity cards.
Passengers travelling towards Srinagar have been advised to use the old Jawahar Tunnel road to avoid screening at Lamber, Banihal, while those heading to Batote, Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar from Jammu have been asked to use the Patnitop route to avoid screening at Nashri.
Authorities have urged commuters to undertake only daytime travel on NH-44 and avoid night journeys because of the risk of shooting stones, landslides, ongoing construction between Ramban and Banihal and the movement of Amarnath Yatra convoys.
Fruit growers transporting fresh produce from Kashmir have been asked to load and park their vehicles before 9 am at designated locations between Navyug Tunnel and Levdoora on the day of the downward convoy for smooth movement.
For Wednesday, LMVs will be allowed from Nagrota to Srinagar between 7 am and 12 noon, Jakheni to Srinagar between 8 am and 1 pm, and Qazigund to Jammu between 11.30 am and 5.30 pm.
HMVs will be permitted to move from Qazigund towards Jammu, subject to weather and road conditions, and no heavy vehicle will be allowed after 7 pm.
The Traffic Police also directed empty petrol, diesel and LPG tankers, trucks carrying empty LPG cylinders and empty Food Corporation of India (FCI) vehicles returning to Jammu to use the Mughal Road during the Amarnath Yatra. Vehicles with up to 10 tyres carrying perishable goods have also been advised to use the Mughal Road on designated days.
Meanwhile, LMVs will be allowed on the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag Highway (NH-244) from Parana towards Anantnag between 8 am and 4 pm and from Daksum towards Kishtwar between 9 am and 4 pm.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road, LMVs will be allowed from both sides up to 1 pm, while HMVs will move from Minamarg towards Srinagar between noon and 5 pm. Motorists have been advised to carry anti-skid chains.
Traffic on the Mughal Road (NH-701A) will remain open from 7 am to 6 pm from both sides, subject to clearance by the Border Roads Organisation (GREF).
The Traffic Police has advised motorists to avoid unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, particularly in landslide-prone areas, and to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and adequately fuelled before starting their journey.
