Fresh snowfall in upper reaches of Ramban; Jammu-Srinagar  NH open for traffic

Srinagar, March 15: Fresh snowfall was witnessed in the upper reaches of the Ramban district including the Jawahar Tunnel top, Mahoo Mangit valley and Pirpanjal range of mountains.

In the Ramban-Banihal sector, rains lashed the plains, while the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained open for traffic from both sides today.

The Traffic Police said that passenger vehicles are plying from both sides of the national highway, while Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) were allowed from Srinagar towards Jammu.

The police urged commuters to follow lane discipline and avoid overtaking.  The Traffic Police further advised passengers to travel on the highway during the daytime and avoid unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal due to the risk of landslides and shooting stones along the route.

On Friday, the Traffic Police, in an advisory, said there was a forecast of snowfall on high reaches and heavy rainfall on NH-44 for the next few days and people should avoid travel on hilly roads and NH-44 without prior confirmation from TCUs.

The Traffic Police also said that subject to fair weather and better road conditions, Light Motor Vehicles ( LMVs) shall be allowed from both sides of Jammu-Srinagar NHW, while the HMVs would be permitted from the Navyug tunnel (Qazigund side) towards Jammu after assessing the road conditions.

The Traffic Police particularly asked the security forces not to ply against the advisory citing possible traffic congestion because of the narrow carriageway between Nashree and Banihal on Jammu-Srinagar highway.

On Friday, there was a slow movement of vehicles on NH-44 due to breakdown of HMVs, single-lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad, and due to four-lane construction work.

Meanwhile, the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari ( SSG) road, Bhaderwah-Chamba road, Mughal road and Sinthan road remained closed for traffic today as well.