Srinagar, Aug 2: The Traffic Police on Sunday said the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) will remain open for light motor vehicles (LMVs) from both sides on Monday, subject to weather and road conditions, while advising commuters to travel only during the daytime and check traffic updates before starting their journey.
According to the Traffic Police, slow movement was reported on the highway between 4 pm on August 1 and 4 pm on August 2 due to single-lane stretches at Dewal in Udhampur and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather. The breakdown of two vehicles at Magerkot and Marog further added to congestion.
In view of the India Meteorological Department’s forecast of rainfall, commuters have been advised to confirm the road status with Traffic Control Units (TCUs) in 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 allowed after 1 pm from Nagrota, Jammu, due to extensive damage on a single-carriageway stretch at Dewal. The movement window will be opened after the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra convoy passes, and commuters must carry valid photo identity cards.
Private vehicles travelling towards Srinagar have been advised to use the old Jawahar Tunnel road to avoid screening at Lamber, Banihal. Similarly, commuters travelling from Jammu to Batote, Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar have been asked to use the Patnitop road to avoid screening at Nashri.
Passengers and LMV operators have been advised to avoid night travel on NH-44 because of the risk of landslides, shooting stones, ongoing road construction between Ramban and Banihal and Yatra-related traffic.
Heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) will continue to operate on alternate days, while fruit growers transporting produce from the Kashmir Valley to Jammu have been asked to park their vehicles by 9 am at designated locations between the Navyug Tunnel and Levdoora on days when down convoys are scheduled.
Subject to favourable weather and road conditions, the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra convoy and LMVs will be allowed from both sides on NH-44. The prescribed cut-off timings are: Nagrota (Jammu) to Srinagar: 7 am to 12 noon, Jakheni (Udhampur) to Srinagar: 8 am to 1 pm, Qazigund to Jammu: 11.30 am to 5.30 pm.
Heavy vehicles from Qazigund towards Jammu will be allowed till 7 pm, subject to road conditions.
The Traffic Police also said LMVs would be allowed on the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road between 8 am and 4 pm from PP Parana to Anantnag and from 9 am to 4 pm from Daksum to Kishtwar, subject to clearance. On the Zojila axis, LMVs will be allowed from both sides up to 1 pm, while HMVs from Sonamarg towards Kargil will be permitted between 12 noon and 5 pm. Motorists have been advised to carry anti-skid chains.
Traffic on the Mughal Road will be allowed from both sides between 7 am and 6 pm, subject to clearance by the road maintenance agencies.
The Traffic Police said all traffic movement would remain subject to fair weather and road conditions and urged commuters to verify the latest road status before commencing their journey.
