Srinagar, July 28(GNS): Traffic authorities on Tuesday said that a very slow traffic movement was witnessed on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway-44 over the last 24 hours due to single-lane, uneven road surface at Dewal in Udhampur and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, besides breakdown of 4 vehicles between Ramban and Banihal.
In an advisory issued on tuesday evening, officials told GNS that in view of the inclement weather forecast by the MeT Department with likely rainfall over the next few days, the general public has been advised to undertake journey on NH-44 only after confirming the road status from TCUs at Srinagar, Ramban and Jammu.
Citing extensive damage at Dewal, Udhampur causing congestion due to slow movement on the rough and bumpy single carriageway, authorities said inter-district movement of local commuters within J&K will not be allowed after the cut-off timing of 1:00 PM from Nagrota, Jammu. The window will be given only after the passage of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra convoy and subject to verification of valid photo identity cards.
Local commuters in private vehicles travelling towards Srinagar have been advised to use the old road via Jawahar Tunnel to avoid screening at Lamber, Banihal. Those travelling to Batote, Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar have been asked to use the old road via Patnitop while coming from Jammu to avoid screening at Nashri.
Passengers and LMV operators have been advised to prefer daytime travel on Jammu-Srinagar NHW. Night travel should be avoided due to apprehension of shooting stones, landslides, ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal and the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
Goods carriers carrying fresh perishable and livestock have been asked to load as per the advisory issued by Traffic Police Headquarters. HMVs will be allowed to ply on alternate days only.
Fruit growers and load carriers carrying fresh perishable from the Valley towards Jammu have been asked to load and park their vehicles every morning before 9:00 AM at the designated place between Navyug Tunnel and Levdoora on the day of the down convoy for smooth movement.
Subject to fair weather and better road conditions, SANJY convoy and LMVs, passenger and private cars will be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NH-44. HMVs and load carriers will be allowed on alternate days. TCUs in Jammu and Srinagar will liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing traffic.
Cut-off timings for LMVs:Nagrota, Jammu towards Srinagar: 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Jakheni, Udhampur towards Srinagar: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Qazigund towards Jammu: 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
For HMVs, movement will be allowed from Qazigund towards Jammu subject to weather and road conditions. No HMV will be allowed after 7:00 PM.
In view of the Amarnath Yatra, all empty tankers of petrol, diesel, LPG, trucks carrying empty LPG cylinders and all empty FCI vehicles have been directed to use only Mughal Road while returning to Jammu. Vehicles up to 10 tyres carrying perishable commodities shall also use Mughal Road on days when the up convoy for HMVs is scheduled on NH-44.
Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag NH-244: LMVs will be allowed from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM from PP Parana towards Anantnag and from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM from Daksum towards Kishtwar.
SSG Road:LMVs allowed from both sides up to 1:00 PM. HMVs allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Motorists advised to carry anti-skid chains.
Mughal Road NH-701A:Vehicular movement allowed from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM from both sides subject to clearance from GREF.
The Traffic Police has urged commuters to avoid unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, especially near landslide-prone areas, and to double-check vehicle fitness and carry sufficient fuel before undertaking the journey.
For updates, commuters can check the J&K Traffic Police Twitter handle and Facebook page or contact TCUs.(GNS)
