Srinagar-Jammu National Highway reopens

Ramban, Mar 4: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway reopened for one-way traffic to Kashmir on Monday.

“However, vehicular traffic was halted for some time at Dalwass for necessary repair works,” traffic officials said.

Officials said, “The highway was reopened for one-way traffic this morning. It reopened after having remained blocked for two consecutive days, due to torrential rains that caused landslides and shooting stones at several places between Nashri and Banihal in Ramban district early Saturday morning.”

“After the improvement in the weather, the concerned road maintenance agency, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) started the road restoration work at Dalwass; Mehar-Cafeteria; Seri; Panthyal; Hingni; Gangroo; Nachlana; Kishtwari Pathar and at various other locations. “A single-lane road was prepared and one-way traffic resumed on Monday morning,” they said.

The traffic officials said, “Stranded passenger vehicles between Nashri and Banihal were cleared on priority and after that scheduled one-way traffic for Kashmir was permitted to move from Nagrota-Jammu and Jakhani-Udhampur.”

They said hundreds of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and heavy vehicles crossed the Nashri-Banihal sector for Kashmir till late Monday evening without any disruption.

Due to single-lane road stretches at several places between Nashri and Banihal, vehicles to Srinagar and Jammu have been plying on alternate days for the last few days.

Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police, National Highway, Ramban, said, “The highway is open for one-way traffic. More than 5000 LMVs crossed the Nashri-Banihal sector for Kashmir.”

“Heavy vehicles, carrying essential supplies, are being cleared in a regulated manner towards Kashmir. Traffic is moving at a slow pace at Dalwass, Mehar-Cafeteria, Panthyal, Hingni, Kishtwari Pathar, Gangroo and other places,” he said.

Meanwhile, traffic authorities advised commuters and drivers not to travel against the advisory and traffic plan because of possible traffic congestion due to the narrow carriageway between Nashri and Banihal.

The highway passing through Ramban district had suffered damages at several places and construction sites, due to recent rains.