Srinagar-Jammu NH open for 2-way traffic

Ramban, Jul 31: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open for two-way traffic of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs), including Amarnath Yatra convoy vehicles, on Thursday, despite intermittent rainfall and slow movement between the Nashri and Banihal sectors, traffic authorities said.

Officials monitoring the highway in Ramban district said that hundreds of LMVs and heavy vehicles plied towards their respective destinations during the day, adhering to the fixed cut-off timings.

They said that light rains lashed parts of the Nashri-Banihal stretch, but traffic was allowed on both sides.

However, the vehicular movement remained slow due to the breakdown of a few heavy vehicles and due to single-lane restrictions at critical points, including Nashri-Dalwass, Maroog, and Kishtwari Pathar.

Meanwhile, the Traffic Department issued an advisory for Friday stating that, subject to fair weather conditions and improved road surface, passenger LMVs and heavy vehicles would be allowed to ply on either side of the highway.

The authorities advised commuters to confirm the status of the road before planning their journeys by contacting the Traffic Control Units (TCUs) in Srinagar, Jammu, Udhampur, and Ramban.

Given the sensitivity of the terrain, particularly between the Ramban and Banihal sectors, passengers and LMV operators have been cautioned to exercise restraint and vigilance, as there is apprehension of shooting stones from hill slopes along the route.

Regarding the Amarnath Yatra, traffic officials said that the yatra convoy vehicles and all passenger or private LMVs would be allowed to travel in both directions on the highway.

For Amarnath Yatra-bound traffic, passenger LMVs would be released from Nagrota, Jammu, between 6 am and 12 noon, and from Jakhani, Udhampur, between 7 am and 1 pm towards Srinagar.

For vehicles heading towards Jammu from Kashmir, the cut-off timing from Qazigund has been fixed between 11:30 am and 2 pm.

Subject to road and weather conditions, heavy vehicles would be allowed from Jakhani, Udhampur, towards Srinagar after thorough assessment of the highway’s condition.

Given the ongoing Amarnath Yatra and to ensure the smooth flow of essential goods, the J&K administration has also issued a directive that all empty diesel and petrol tankers, LPG bulk gas carriers, and empty LPG tankers with up to 10 tyres should return to Jammu via Mughal Road, rather than the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

Additionally, commuters and road users belonging to Reasi, Katra, Udhampur, Patnitop, Doda, and Ramban towns have been asked to carry a valid photo identity card to prove their residence after the designated cut-off timings from Jammu or Udhampur, to facilitate their movement beyond the regulated hours.

Traffic authorities said that necessary coordination was being maintained across departments to manage the situation and ensure the safety of all commuters along the highway.