Srinagar-Jammu highway sees slow traffic amid poor road conditions, rain forecast

Srinagar: Traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu highway remained slow over the past 24 hours due to several single-lane stretches, uneven road surfaces and vehicle breakdowns, while authorities issued a detailed advisory for August 4 amid a forecast of rainfall.

According to GNS, the Traffic Police Headquarters said slow movement was recorded between 4 pm on August 2 and 4 pm on August 3 at Dawal in Udhampur, where the road surface remains single, undulating and uneven, as well as between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, where traffic is moving along a single-lane stretch.

The movement was also disrupted after two vehicles broke down at Nachlana and Marog.

In view of the India Meteorological Department’s forecast of rainfall over the coming days, commuters have been advised to confirm the status of the highway before starting their journey. Traffic authorities have asked people to obtain updates from Traffic Control Units (TCUs) in Srinagar, Ramban and Jammu and follow updates issued through the J&K Traffic Police’s social media handles.

Restoration work continues at the Dawal slide near Dawal Bridge in the Samroli area of Udhampur. The affected section has been reduced to a single carriageway and remains highly slushy, muddy and slippery.

Authorities said the decision on vehicular movement would be taken after receiving clearance from the National Highways Authority of India and assessing the condition of the road. Commuters have been advised to avoid travelling on the affected stretch until it is declared safe and not to rely on rumours regarding the road status.

Subject to favourable weather and clearance from NHIDCL, light motor vehicles and private passenger cars will be permitted from both directions. Vehicles will be allowed 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 prescribed cut-off timings.

As per an order issued by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, light motor vehicles will also be permitted from both sides between Sonamarg and Kargil up to 1 pm, subject to clearance from the concerned road maintenance agencies.

Heavy motor vehicles will be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar between noon and 5 pm. No vehicle will be permitted after 5 pm. Motorists have been advised to carry anti-skid chains, while security forces’ convoys have been asked to schedule their movement in a manner that does not disrupt civilian traffic.

On the Chandimarh-Baffliaz-Shopian-Poonch route, subject to favourable weather and clearance from GREF, light motor vehicles followed by heavy motor vehicles up to 10 tyres will be allowed from both directions.

Traffic will be permitted from Chandimarh (Baffliaz) towards Shopian and from Herpora (Shopian) towards Poonch between 7 am and 6 pm. No vehicle will be allowed after the cut-off time.

Authorities said Traffic Control Units in Jammu, Ramban and Srinagar would continue to inform the public about traffic timings and road conditions.