Srinagar-Jammu NH open for 2-way traffic

Ramban, Feb 17: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open for two-way traffic of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and heavy vehicles on Saturday.

However, traffic authorities, referring to a weather advisory, advised people not to travel on hilly roads and NH-44 without confirming the status of the road on Sunday morning.

“A weather advisory issued by the Meteorological department has predicted snowfall on higher reaches and rainfall on the highway on Sunday. Therefore, people are advised not to travel on hilly roads and NH-44 without confirming the status of the road tomorrow morning,” they said.

The officials monitoring traffic regulations in Ramban said, “The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open but the traffic movement remained slow due to single-lane road stretches at Dalwass, Mehar-Cafeteria and poor road surface conditions at several places between Nashri and Banihal.”

They said that despite slow traffic movement, hundreds of LMVs and heavy vehicles had crossed the Nashri and Banihal tunnels till late this evening.

“Vehicles are heading towards their respective destinations in Kashmir and Jammu in a regulated manner on the highway,” they said.

Meanwhile, the traffic authorities have advised passenger vehicle operators to prefer journeys on the Srinagar Jammu National Highway only during the daytime and avoid journeys during the night due to apprehension of shooting stones between Ramban and Banihal.

They further advised heavy vehicle operators to desist from overloading and check the fitness of vehicles before undertaking journeys on the highway.

Officials at Traffic Control Unit Ramban late Saturday evening said, “The highway is open for traffic yet the vehicle operators and commuters are advised to follow lane discipline while travelling.” The J&K Traffic Department also advised people not to travel on hilly roads and NH-44 without confirming the status of the road from TCU, Srinagar, Jammu, Udhampur and Ramban on Sunday morning as the Meteorological Department predicted snowfall on higher reaches and rainfall on the NH-44 on February 18.