Sgr-Jmu NH witnesses traffic congestion

Ramban, May 7: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open for two-way traffic of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and heavy vehicles amid congestion on Tuesday.

Traffic regulating authorities said, “The highway witnessed bumper-to-bumper traffic as passenger vehicles plied on both sides. The movement of traffic remained slow due to narrow road stretches and foot-movement of nomadic families with the livestock on the highway between Nashri and Banihal sectors.”

They said after clearing heavy load carriers, carrying essential commodities for the valley, Jammu-bound heavy vehicles were also allowed to move from Qazigund in Kashmir towards Jammu.

However, commuters and drivers complained that they remained stuck in traffic for brief intervals at various narrow stretches of the highway between Nashri and Banihal.

“We remained stuck at Dalwass, Mehar-Cafeteria Morh, Ramban Seri, Panthial, Magarkote, Hingni, Ganroo, Nachlana and other places due to single-lane stretches where only one vehicle could pass at a time,” they said.

Officials at Traffic Control Unit (TCU) Ramban, while giving an updated status of the highway on Tuesday evening, said, “Heavy vehicles released from Qazigund are heading towards Jammu in a regulated manner.”

They said that subject to fair weather and better road conditions, passenger LMVs and private cars would be allowed from both sides whereas heavy vehicles would be allowed after assessing the situation on the highway on Wednesday morning.

“People are advised to undertake journeys on highways only after confirming the status of the road from TCUs Srinagar, Jammu, Udhampur and Ramban on Wednesday morning,” they said.