Despite rains, Srinagar-Jammu NH open for 2-way traffic

Ramban, Apr 16: Despite heavy rainfall, the only all-weather road, Srinagar-Jammu National 44 remained open for two-way traffic on Wednesday. Traffic authorities monitoring regulation of traffic in Ramban said that despite the rainfall that lashed Nashri-Banihal stretch, hundreds of light, medium and heavy vehicles plied towards their respective destinations. However, the officials said the traffic movement remained slow due to single lane road stretches at Dalwass, Mehad-Cafeteria, and at other locations.

They further said traffic movement remained slow due to on foot movement of nomads with their livestock and breakdown of few heavy vehicles besides ongoing four-lane construction work at different locations between Nashri and Banihal on National Highway 44.

Official at Traffic Control Unit. Ramban, late Wednesday evening said that Srinagar-Jammu National 44, is open for two-way traffic. They said subject to fair weather and better road conditions, passenger light motor vehicles and HMVs will be allowed to ply on either side on Thursday. They advised the people to confirm the status of the road before undertaking journeys from traffic control units Srinagar, Jammu, Udhampur and Ramban.

They further advised passengers and LMV operators to undertake journeys on the National Highway during this time as there is apprehension of shooting stones between the Ramban and Banihal sectors. Meanwhile, traffic congestion is prevalent between Chanderkote and Ramban due to the single lane road stretch on Mehad-Cafeteria. At the time of filing this report, police teams were busy clearing traffic on one-way basis at Mehad and Cafeteria, where around 200 meters of road stretch is narrow and single.