Srinagar-Jammu Highway (NH-44): 2-way traffic for light, medium vehicles today: Officials

Ramban, Oct 26: The Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH-44) remained open for two-way movement of light and medium vehicles and one-way traffic of heavy vehicles for Kashmir on Sunday.

Traffic authorities said the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway-44 will remain open for two-way traffic of light and medium vehicles between Srinagar and Jammu, while heavy vehicles will be allowed towards Jammu after assessing the road and traffic situation on Monday morning.

Officials said vehicular movement remained slow due to single-lane stretches at several locations, the on-foot migration of nomadic families with their livestock towards Jammu for the winter season, and the breakdown of a few heavy vehicles between the Udhampur and Banihal sectors.

Traffic monitoring officials reported slow movement at Balli Nullah, Dewal, Samroli, Nashri, Dalwass, and between Maroog and Kishtwari Pathar. They added that after clearing Srinagar-bound heavy vehicles, Jammu-bound traffic would be allowed to proceed on Monday.

Vehicles were moving towards their respective destinations, albeit at a slow pace, officials said.

Authorities further stated that narrow road widths and ongoing maintenance work along several single-lane stretches—including Balli Nullah, Dewal, Samroli, Nashri, Dalwass, Maroog, and Kishtwari Pathar—continued to hamper smooth traffic movement.

Meanwhile, the traffic department issued a fresh advisory for Monday, stating that subject to fair weather and good road conditions, private cars and light-to-medium vehicles will be allowed to ply on both sides towards Jammu and Srinagar.

They said heavy vehicles would be allowed from Qazigund, Kashmir, towards Jammu after assessing the road and traffic situation on NH-44 on Monday morning.

Traffic authorities advised commuters and transporters to maintain lane discipline, avoid overtaking, and refrain from wrong-lane driving, warning that such violations could worsen congestion on the highway.

Travellers were also urged to check the latest traffic advisories from the Traffic Control Units in Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur, and Ramban, or through the official social media handles of the Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Department, before starting their journey on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, officials said contractor companies of the NHAI have carried out DBM (Dense Bituminous Macadam) work on a road stretch connecting Tunnel T5, Panthyal, and Tunnel T4, Digdool.