Sgr-Jmu NH witnesses massive traffic congestion

Ramban, Apr 22:  Massive traffic congestion was witnessed on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway due to single-lane stretches and dilapidated road conditions at many places between Nashri and Banihal on Monday.

Officials said that traffic congestion was witnessed due to big potholes, damaged road stretches and the breakdown of heavy vehicles at many places on the highway.

They said, “Earlier on Monday morning at around 8 am, a landslide hit Gangroo stretch, between Ramsu and Banihal sectors, disrupting the movement of traffic on the highway. The landslide was cleared but the traffic movement remained extremely slow.”

A truck driver Jagjeet Singh said, “We had been stuck in massive traffic congestion in the Sherbibi area, since 5 am. It took 10 hours to reach Ramban from Banihal.”

“The condition of road stretches between Banihal and Ramsu is in dilapidated condition. The highway has developed big potholes and deep craters, filled with rain water, at several places due to which vehicle operators face problems while crossing damaged and narrow road stretches,” he said.

The commuters and vehicle operators alleged that there were several narrow road stretches where only one vehicle could pass at a time.

“Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) further add to the mess as their operators are always in a hurry and due to overtaking, the vehicles remain stuck in traffic jams on the highway,” they said.

On the other hand, local commuters alleged, “National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), PIU Ramban has miserably failed in the maintenance of damaged road stretches between Nashri and Banihal. The companies hired by NHAI do not bother to repair the damaged road stretches.”

They have appealed to the concerned authorities to look into the matter to redress their grievance on account of traffic snarls.

Meanwhile, a Traffic Police officer said, “Traffic congestion is being eased. We ask vehicle operators and commuters to strictly follow lane discipline, especially between the Ramban-Banihal sectors of the highway.”

Traffic authorities, while updating the status of the highway on ‘X’, posted, “Heavy traffic congestion in Banihal sector. LMVs operators and passengers are advised to keep patience and cooperate with Traffic Police.”