Jammu: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) will remain open for traffic from both directions on Friday, subject to weather and road conditions, while the movement of goods carriers from Jakheni towards Srinagar will be restricted on October 31 and November 1 to facilitate the biannual Darbar Move, Traffic Police Headquarters J&K said on Thursday.
According to the traffic advisory, no upward movement of heavy and medium motor vehicles (HMVs/MMVs), including goods carriers, will be allowed from Jakheni in Udhampur towards Srinagar on Saturday and Sunday. Downward movement of heavy motor vehicles from Qazigund towards Jammu will be permitted in a regulated manner.
The advisory further states that goods carriers will not be allowed to proceed from Jakheni towards Ramban, Banihal and Srinagar, or from Qazigund towards Banihal, Ramban and Udhampur, after 2 am on October 31 and November 1.
Operators carrying fresh perishables and livestock have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly.
Traffic authorities said movement on NH-44 had remained slow over the past 24 hours due to single-lane stretches and uneven road surfaces at Dawal in Udhampur and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather. Breakdowns involving three vehicles between Ramban and Ramsoo, along with the movement of three nomadic herds across Banihal-Nachlana, also affected traffic flow.
Commuters have been advised to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking, particularly on the Marog-Kishtwari Pather stretch, where the movement of nomadic herds may cause further delays.
Passenger vehicles and light motor vehicles have been advised to travel on NH-44 during daylight hours and avoid night journeys due to the risk of shooting stones and landslides, nomadic movement and ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
Subject to favourable weather and road conditions, passenger vehicles, private cars and other permitted vehicles will be allowed from both directions on NH-44.
For the Kishtwar-Srinagar route, light motor vehicles and passenger cars will be permitted from both sides after clearance from road maintenance agencies. Vehicles will be allowed from PP 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 after the prescribed cut-off times.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road, light motor vehicles will be permitted from both sides, subject to favourable weather and road conditions. Vehicles will be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil and from Minamarg towards Srinagar until 1 pm. Heavy motor vehicles will be permitted from Minamarg towards Srinagar between noon and 4 pm. Motorists have been advised to carry and use anti-skid chains.
On the Mughal Road, light motor vehicles followed by heavy motor vehicles with up to 10 tyres will be allowed from both directions after clearance from the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF). Vehicles will be permitted between 7 am and 6 pm from Chandimarh in Baffliaz towards Shopian and from Herpora in Shopian towards Poonch.
Traffic authorities have advised commuters to confirm the latest road status with Traffic Control Units before starting their journeys.
