Avoid Night Journeys on Jammu-Srinagar Highway : Officials

 JAMMU, March 21 :Significant traffic disruptions were reported on the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, designated as NH-44, on Wednesday due to multiple bottlenecks. Officials cited slow movement caused by single-lane traffic at Balinalla, Dewal, Nashri-Dalwas, and the stretch between Marog and Kishtwari Pather. The situation was further compounded by the breakdown of Heavy Motor Vehicles along the route. A traffic official told Kashmir News Service that travelers are advised against night journeys on the NH-44 stretch between Ramban and Banihal due to risks of shooting stones and landslides. Ongoing construction activity in this sector is also expected to cause inconvenience. The official emphasised the importance of lane discipline, warning that overtaking and wrong-lane driving would exacerbate congestion. In a regulated traffic plan issued for Thursday, authorities stated that subject to fair weather and improved road conditions, Light Motor Vehicles, passenger buses, private cars, and goods carrier HMVs will be permitted from both sides on NH-44. Traffic Control Units in Jammu and Srinagar will coordinate with the TCU in Ramban to monitor the situation. Separately, Security Forces convoys will also be allowed from both sides on NH-44, subject to weather and road conditions, after confirming the highway status from the TCU in Ramban.The official also provided updates on other key routes. The NH-244, or Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag Road, remains closed for all vehicular traffic due to fresh snowfall and accumulation. On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari Road toward Kargil, traffic movement may be permitted subject to fair weather and clearance from the Border Roads Organisation. Light Motor Vehicles, followed by HMVs of up to six tyres fitted with anti-skid chains, would be allowed from Sonamarg toward Kargil only between 1100 and 1500 hours. Security Forces convoys have been directed to plan their movement to avoid disrupting civilian traffic. For the route from Jammu to Srinagar via Poonch, Light Motor Vehicles and private cars with anti-skid chains may be allowed from both sides, based on weather, road conditions, and clearance from maintenance agencies. Movement would be permitted only between 1030 and 1430 hours on specific stretches between Chandimarh, also known as Baffliaz, and Shopian, with no vehicles allowed after this cut-off time. The Traffic Department has urged all travelers to confirm the status of their route from the nearest Traffic Control Unit before commencing their journey. (KNS)