Jammu, Oct 29: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) will remain open for traffic in both directions on Friday, subject to favourable weather and road conditions, while the movement of goods carriers will face restrictions on October 31 and November 1 in view of the Darbar Move, Traffic Police Headquarters J&K said on Thursday.
To facilitate the smooth movement of Secretariat employees from Srinagar to Jammu, upward movement of heavy and medium motor vehicles (HMVs/MMVs) from Jakheni in Udhampur towards Srinagar will remain prohibited on October 31 and November 1. Downward movement of heavy motor vehicles from Qazigund towards Jammu will, however, be permitted in a regulated manner.
Traffic Police said goods carriers would also not be allowed to proceed from Jakheni towards Ramban, Banihal and Srinagar, or from Qazigund towards Banihal, Ramban and Udhampur, after 2 am on October 31 and November 1.
Operators transporting fresh produce, other perishable goods or livestock have been advised to plan their loading and journeys accordingly.
Meanwhile, traffic movement on NH-44 remained slow over the past 24 hours due to single-lane stretches, uneven road surfaces at Dawal in Udhampur, and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather. The movement of three nomadic herds across Banihal-Nachlana and the breakdown of three vehicles between Ramban and Ramsoo also contributed to delays.
An official said traffic on the Marog-Kishtwari Pather stretch was likely to remain slow due to the continued movement of nomadic herds. Commuters have been advised to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking.
Traffic was also regulated at Dawal, where a stretch of around 30 to 40 metres has been reduced to a single lane.
Night travel discouraged
Passengers and light motor vehicle (LMV) operators have been advised to undertake journeys on NH-44 during daylight hours and avoid night travel due to the risk of shooting stones and landslides, the movement of nomadic herds and ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
Traffic Police said LMVs, passenger vehicles, private cars and goods carriers would be allowed to ply on NH-44 from both Jammu towards Srinagar and Srinagar towards Jammu, subject to fair weather and improved road conditions.
Advisory for other highways
On the Kishtwar-Srinagar route, LMVs, passenger vehicles and private cars will be allowed in both directions, subject to favourable weather, good road conditions and clearance from road maintenance agency NHIDCL.
Vehicles will be permitted to move from PP Parana towards Anantnag between 8 am and 4 pm, and from Daksum towards Kishtwar between 9 am and 4 pm. No vehicle will be allowed after the respective cut-off timings.
On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road, LMVs will be allowed in both directions, subject to weather and road conditions. Vehicles can travel from Sonamarg towards Kargil and from Minamarg towards Srinagar until 1 pm.
Heavy motor vehicles will be permitted from Minamarg towards Srinagar between noon and 4 pm, with no vehicle allowed after 4 pm. Motorists have been advised to carry and use anti-skid chains.
On the Mughal Road, vehicular movement will be allowed in both directions after clearance from the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), subject to favourable weather and road conditions. LMVs, followed by HMVs with a maximum of 10 tyres, will be permitted from Chandimarh (Baffliaz) towards Shopian and from Herpora in Shopian towards Poonch between 7 am and 6 pm.
Traffic Police has advised commuters to confirm the latest road status with Traffic Control Units before starting their journeys.
