Jammu, May 02: Traffic movement remained slow on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway and several other routes across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday due to breakdowns, heavy vehicle load and ongoing road work, officials said.
According to the Traffic Police Headquarters, slow movement was observed on NH-44 owing to single-lane conditions between Marog and Kishtwar Pather and the breakdown of an HMV near Kishtwar Pather. Movement of nomadic herds between Nagrota and Banihal also affected traffic flow.
Officials said that traffic on the highway is likely to remain slow on Sunday as well, and commuters have been advised to follow lane discipline and avoid overtaking.
No movement of fresh vehicles was allowed on the Jammu–Srinagar highway on Saturday, though stranded vehicles were cleared towards Ramban and Banihal, an official said, adding that traffic on the Srinagar–Jammu stretch was allowed from Qazigund towards Banihal, Ramban and Udhampur, while vehicles also moved from Jammu towards Srinagar after regulation.
The highway remained closed for most of the day on Friday due to shooting stones and landslides, while movement was also affected by construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
Subject to fair weather and road conditions, passenger vehicles and LMVs are expected to ply on Sunday from both sides of the highway, the official said. However, HMVs will be allowed only after assessing road conditions. Commuters have been advised to travel during the daytime and avoid overloading.
Meanwhile, traffic on the Kishtwar–Sinthan–Anantnag road will remain suspended as the stretch is still closed due to snow accumulation and road damage. On the SSG Road, LMVs followed by HMVs will be allowed from Srinagar towards Kargil after assessment of road conditions.
Traffic on the Mughal Road will operate on a regulated basis, with LMVs allowed from Shopian towards Poonch between 5 am and 10 am, subject to weather conditions.
Authorities have advised commuters to confirm the status of roads before travel and follow official advisories to avoid inconvenience—(KNO)
