Sgr-Jmu highway open for traffic

Ramban, Nov 14: The Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH-44), the lifeline connecting Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, remained open for two-way movement of light, medium and heavy vehicles on Friday, officials said.

They said that although the highway stayed open in both directions, traffic movement was slow at several stretches — including Balli Nullah, Dewal, Nashri–Dalwas, Maroog and Kishtwari Pather between Udhampur and Banihal — due to single-lane road conditions. The breakdown of several heavy vehicles at different locations further added to the sluggish flow, they added.

Traffic authorities in Ramban district said that despite the slow movement, hundreds of vehicles crossed the Chenani–Nashri and Banihal–Qazigund tunnels till late Friday evening.

In a fresh advisory, the Traffic Department said NH-44 will remain open for LMVs, MMVs and HMVs on Saturday, subject to fair weather and good road conditions.

Authorities urged LMV operators and private car owners to travel during daylight hours. “Night travel should be avoided as the movement of heavy vehicles between the Nashri and Navyug tunnels during late hours may cause inconvenience to commuters,” the advisory said.