Srinagar–Jammu Highway open

Ramban, Nov 13: The strategic Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH-44), which serves as the vital all-weather road link between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, remained open for two-way movement of light, medium, and heavy vehicles on Wednesday, officials said.

According to traffic authorities, vehicular movement continued smoothly along most stretches of the 270-km-long highway despite intermittent congestion caused by the breakdown of a few heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) at certain points.

“The highway remained open for both up and down traffic. However, the movement was slow at several locations due to road maintenance works and single-lane stretches,” a traffic department official confirmed.

Officials said that traffic would also be allowed to ply from both sides Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa on Thursday, subject to fair weather and satisfactory road conditions.

The authorities emphasised that any change in the traffic plan would be communicated through the official traffic advisories issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police.

The movement of vehicles was reported to be particularly sluggish at a few critical spots, including Balli Nullah, Dewal, Nashri–Dalwas, Maroog, and Kishtwari Pather — all of which are known for frequent landslides and narrow road sections.

Maintenance and restoration work is said to be ongoing in several of these areas to improve road stability and ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

A few stranded heavy vehicles along the Ramban–Banihal sector temporarily disrupted traffic flow, officials added. The mechanical wings of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the concerned agencies were pressed into service to clear the breakdowns and restore normal movement.

In its advisory, the Traffic Department urged light motor vehicle (LMV) operators and private car owners to plan their travel during daytime hours.

“Night travel should be avoided as the movement of heavy vehicles between Nashri and Navyug tunnels during late hours may cause inconvenience to commuters,” the advisory stated.

Authorities also reiterated their appeal to drivers to maintain lane discipline, follow traffic regulations, and avoid overtaking or driving on the wrong side, practices that often lead to traffic jams and delay the overall movement of vehicles.

Traffic police personnel, assisted by district police and highway patrol units, were deployed at major choke points to regulate traffic and ensure safe passage of vehicles throughout the day.

Meanwhile, officials reminded travellers to stay updated with the latest traffic advisories before embarking on their journeys, especially in view of the ongoing winter season, during which weather conditions can change rapidly, impacting road connectivity in the Ramban–Banihal sector.