Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
Traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained slow on Sunday due to single-lane stretches, damaged road surfaces and uneven conditions, prompting the Traffic Police to advise commuters to avoid night travel amid a forecast of heavy rainfall over the next two days.
According to the latest traffic advisory, very slow movement was recorded on NH-44 between 4 pm on August 8 and 4 pm on August 9, particularly at Dalwas and Udhampur, due to road damage and single-lane stretches. Traffic was also affected along the single-lane section between Marog and Kishtwar Pathar, while the movement of 53 vehicles between Nashri and Ramban was impacted.
Traffic was being regulated at Dawal in Udhampur, where a single-lane stretch measuring around 30 to 40 metres was causing congestion and slowing down the movement of vehicles.
The Traffic Police urged commuters to undertake journeys only after confirming the latest road status from the respective Traffic Control Units, particularly in view of the India Meteorological Department’s forecast of rainfall over the next two days.
Passengers and light motor vehicle operators have been advised to travel on NH-44 during daylight hours and avoid night journeys because of the possibility of shooting stones and landslides. Ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal is also expected to affect traffic movement.
The advisory assumes added significance as several stretches of the highway remain vulnerable to landslides, falling stones and temporary blockages during spells of heavy rainfall.
Goods carrier operators transporting fresh and perishable commodities, as well as livestock, have been advised to load their vehicles strictly in accordance with traffic advisories issued from time to time.
Heavy motor vehicle operators have been directed to avoid overloading, carry sufficient fuel and ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy before beginning their journey.
Commuters have also been advised against unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, particularly at locations vulnerable to landslides and shooting stones.
For August 10, the Traffic Police said light motor vehicles, passenger vehicles, private cars and goods carriers would be permitted to travel on NH-44 between Jammu and Srinagar and in the opposite direction, subject to fair weather and satisfactory road conditions.
Drivers have been asked to maintain lane discipline and strictly avoid overtaking and wrong-lane driving to prevent further congestion.
Security Forces vehicles will also be permitted to move from both directions after confirmation of road conditions by the concerned Traffic Control Units.
On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag National Highway (NH-244), light motor vehicles and private cars will be allowed from both directions after clearance from the concerned road maintenance agencies.
Vehicular movement between Kishtwar and Anantnag will be regulated during specified daytime hours. Traffic from PP Parana towards Anantnag will be allowed between 8 am and 4 pm, while movement from Daksum towards Kishtwar will be permitted between 9 am and 4 pm.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road, light motor vehicles will be permitted from both sides, subject to fair weather, good road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agency. Movement of heavy motor vehicles will be regulated according to prescribed timings.
Vehicular movement on the Mughal Road will also be allowed from both directions, subject to favourable weather, satisfactory road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agency.
Light motor vehicles, followed by heavy motor vehicles of up to 10 tyres, will be permitted between Shopian and Poonch during the prescribed hours.
The Traffic Police has urged travellers to remain alert as weather conditions can change rapidly along the mountainous stretches of the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
Authorities have stressed that road clearance and traffic regulations may be modified depending on rainfall, landslides, shooting stones and the condition of vulnerable stretches.
Commuters have been advised to confirm the latest status of the road from the respective Traffic Control Units before setting out and to avoid unnecessary travel during adverse weather conditions.
