Srinagar-Jammu NH open for one-way traffic

Ramban, Oct 9: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) remained open for one-way traffic of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and heavy vehicles between the Udhampur and Banihal sectors on Thursday.

Traffic authorities said the highway was open for one-way movement of heavy vehicles towards Jammu and LMVs towards Kashmir as per the scheduled traffic plan.

They said that vehicular movement remained slow at several stretches, including Balli Nullah and Tharad in Udhampur, Nashri and Dalwass, and Maroog and Kishtwari Pattar, due to single-lane conditions, breakdowns of heavy vehicles, and on-foot movement of nomadic families with their livestock migrating towards Jammu.

Officials said hundreds of vehicles crossed the Udhampur and Qazigund sectors on a rotational basis throughout the day.

After clearing Kashmir-bound heavy vehicles in the morning, Jammu-bound heavy vehicles were allowed to move towards Jammu in the afternoon.

They said despite the one-way traffic rule, hundreds of LMVs and heavy vehicles plied towards their destinations at a slow pace.

Traffic authorities have advised commuters and drivers to maintain lane discipline, avoid overtaking, and refrain from wrong-lane driving to prevent congestion.

In view of the heavy movement of nomadic families and their livestock, officials urged travellers to avoid non-essential journeys on the highway.

Commuters have been advised to confirm the latest road status 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 undertaking travel on NH-44.