SRINAGAR: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) will remain open for two-way traffic on November 15, subject to favourable weather and improved road conditions, with passenger vehicles, private cars and goods carriers permitted to travel in both directions, the Traffic Police said in its advisory.
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The announcement comes after the highway remained blocked for four hours and 30 minutes between 4 pm on November 13 and 4 pm on November 14 due to a landslide at Kishtwari Pather.
Slow traffic movement was also reported at Dawal in Udhampur due to a single-lane stretch measuring around 30–40 metres and an uneven road surface. Movement was further affected on the single-lane stretch between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, besides a vehicle breakdown at Marog.
The Traffic Police has advised passengers and light motor vehicle (LMV) operators to undertake journeys during daylight hours and avoid night travel due to the risk of shooting stones and landslides, as well as ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
It has also advised commuters to avoid unnecessary stops between Ramban and Banihal, particularly near landslide- and shooting-stone-prone areas.
Meanwhile, the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch will remain restricted between 7 am and 7 pm due to widening work being carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The restriction is also in place because tankers carrying inflammable material are not permitted to pass through tunnels.
Upward-bound tankers will be allowed beyond Chenani only between 5 pm and 5 am. Tanker operators have been asked to plan their journeys accordingly.
Goods carriers transporting fresh perishable items and livestock have been advised to follow the periodic traffic advisories. Heavy motor vehicle operators have also been asked to avoid overloading, ensure vehicle fitness and carry sufficient fuel.
On NH-44, Security Forces vehicles will also be allowed to move in both directions on November 15, subject to favourable weather and road conditions. Their movement will be undertaken after confirmation of the highway status from the Traffic Control Unit (TCU) Ramban.
On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244), passenger light motor vehicles and private cars will be allowed to travel in both directions, subject to favourable weather, good road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agency, NHIDCL.
Vehicles will be permitted from PP Parana towards Anantnag and from Daksum towards Kishtwar between 10.30 am and 3 pm. No vehicle will be allowed after the prescribed cut-off time.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari (SSG) road, light motor vehicles will be allowed in both directions after receiving clearance from road maintenance agencies. Vehicles will be permitted from Sonamarg towards Kargil and from Minamarg towards Srinagar until 1 pm.
Heavy motor vehicles will be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar 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.
On the Mughal Road (NH-701A), light motor vehicles, followed by heavy motor vehicles with a maximum of 10 tyres, will be allowed to ply in 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 in Shopian towards Poonch until 6 pm. No vehicle will be allowed beyond the prescribed cut-off time.
The Traffic Police has urged commuters to confirm the latest road status with the respective Traffic Control Units before undertaking their journeys.
For assistance, commuters can contact the Traffic Control Units at Jammu (0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732 or 103), Srinagar (0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091 or 103), Ramban (9419993745 or 1800-180-7043), Udhampur (8491928625), PCR Kishtwar (9906154100) and PCR Kargil (9541902330 or 9541902331).