Special steps taken to regulate traffic during winter on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway

Ramban, Dec 9: Special steps have been taken by traffic police for regulation of vehicular traffic movement on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway during winter.

Officials said the steps are part of preparedness for winter months to ensure smooth movement of traffic on the highway .The steps include regulating movement of tankers between Chenani - Kud –Patnitop and Batote and between Banihal–Jawahar tunnel (JT) stretches of old alignment Srinagar Jammu National Highway and designated parking places for those in case of closure of National Highway-44 and during snowfall. Filled tankers move from Jammu to Kashmir only through this route.

Giving details SSP Traffic National Highway Rohit Baskotra informed the media that in Patnitop and Banihal sectors besides NH-44, BRO, NHIDCL on Doda-Kishtwar, district administration and local police have been asked to remain ready with snow cutters, snow clearance machines, sand and Urea in case of blockage at key positions of Highways during snowfall.

He said that till now in this month as many as 2300 challans have been done and 80 vehicles seized. He said 20 awareness camps were also organised.

He informed that in this month five FIRs were registered against the defaulter drivers for overloading including one FIR for illegal modification of a Bus. The officer said that besides four special Interceptor vehicles and 28 Motorcycles, four State-of-the-art vehicles fitted with automatic Number Plate scanner Cameras and speed guns have been placed between Udhampur and Banihal to check rash driving.