Srinagar-Jammu NH to remain open for one-way traffic

Ramban, Feb 27: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open for only one-way traffic of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and heavy vehicles for Kashmir on Tuesday.

However, despite one-way traffic norms, vehicular movement remained slow due to the narrow carriageway at the landslide-affected Dalwass area of Nashri near the Chenani-Nashri tunnel throughout the day.

The authorities said that the traffic movement remained slow due to the breakdown of two vehicles; the single-lane stretch at Dalwass, Mehar-Cafeteria, Ramban, Hingni, Gangroo, Kishtwari Pathar and poor road surface conditions at several places between Nashri and Banihal sectors.

Officials said, “Due to heavy rains last week, the highway passing through Ramban district had suffered damages at several places. At least 83 mm of rain was recorded in the Ramban-Banihal sector due to which landslides had occurred at several places, last week.”

“Landslides were cleared but due to continuous mudslides at Dalwass and single-lane carriageways in the area, vehicular traffic remained disrupted during the last few days,” they said.

Due to slush, besides a single-lane stretch, vehicle operators and commuters were facing difficulties in crossing this stretch.

The officials monitoring the regulation of traffic in Ramban said, “The highway remained open and hundreds of vehicles including LMVs and heavy vehicles crossed the Nashri-Banihal tunnel for their destinations in Kashmir on Tuesday.”

SSP Traffic National Highway, Ramban, Rohit Baskotra said, “The highway is open for one-way traffic only.”

Meanwhile, the J&K Traffic Police Department issued a fresh advisory for Wednesday stating that subject to fair weather and road conditions, only one-way traffic would be allowed to ply from Qazigund in Kashmir towards Jammu.

They said, “Cut-off timings for Srinagar-bound light vehicles have been fixed from 6 am to 1 pm from Qazigund in Kashmir thereafter heavy vehicles would be allowed to ply towards Jammu up to 6 pm.”

They said no vehicle would be allowed to ply before or after the cut-off time.