Srinagar-Jammu NH witnesses traffic snarls

Ramban, Jan 3: Heavy traffic congestion was witnessed in the Hingni area of Ramsu between the Ramban-Banihal sector of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on Wednesday.

As a result of traffic congestion due to the breakdown of heavy vehicles and single-lane road stretch at Hingni, vehicles were seen moving at a slow pace between Ramsu and Banihal sectors on the highway.

Traffic authorities said, “Slow vehicular movement was observed on NH-44 due to the breakdown of heavy vehicles; poor surface condition of the road at Dalwass and single-lane traffic at Cafeteria-Mehar, Magerkote, Nachlana between Nashri and Banihal tunnels.”

Drivers and commuters complain that there are several single-lane road stretches, where only one heavy vehicle can pass at a time. “Sometimes, the vehicles on both sides attempt to cross these narrow single-lane road stretches and this leads to traffic congestion,” they rue.

Meanwhile, the traffic department issued an advisory for Thursday stating that subject to fair weather and good road conditions, Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and heavy vehicles would be allowed to ply on either side of the highway.

“However, the commuters and passenger vehicle operators are advised to prefer journey only during the day and avoid journey during the night hours due to apprehensions of shooting stones between Ramban and Banihal sectors on Srinagar Jammu National Highway,” it cautioned.