NH-44 open for light vehicles; heavy vehicles allowed one-way

Ramban, Oct 15: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) remained open on Wednesday for two-way movement of light and medium vehicles, while heavy vehicles were allowed to move only towards Kashmir.

Traffic authorities said that despite the highway being open, movement was slow at several stretches due to single-lane conditions at Balli Nullah, Deswal, Samroli, Nashri, Dalwass, and between Maroog and Kishtwari Pather. Delays were also caused by breakdowns of some heavy vehicles and the on-foot movement of nomadic families with livestock towards Jammu.

Hundreds of light and medium vehicles moved smoothly in both directions, while heavy vehicles continued under regulated movement towards Kashmir.

Engineers from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said landslide clearance operations were underway at multiple locations between Udhampur and Ramban. Controlled blasting was conducted near the Sharda Mata temple in Udhampur to remove accumulated boulders and hanging rocks from a hillock alongside the road.

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the only all-weather road linking the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, had suffered extensive damage following heavy rains on August 26. Partial restoration was carried out on September 10, after which heavy vehicles have been allowed on alternate days between Srinagar and Jammu.

Traffic officials at Ramban said that light and medium vehicles are plying both ways, while heavy vehicles are moving slowly towards Kashmir between Udhampur and Banihal.

Authorities have advised commuters to check the latest highway status before travelling by contacting Traffic Control Units in Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur, and Ramban, or by visiting the official social media handles of the J&K Traffic Police.