Ramban, Jul 8: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open for the scheduled AmarnathYatra convoy and Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) on Wednesday despite heavy monsoon rainfall in Ramban and other places on Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon.
Traffic authorities said vehicular movement remained slow due to single-lane road conditions between Marog and KishtwariPather.
Traffic was further disrupted following the breakdown of three vehicles at Digdol and Nachlana.
Authorities said that after the notified cut-off timings, inter-district movement of local commuters within Jammu and Kashmir would be facilitated till 11:30 pm from Nagrota and Qazigund after verification of valid photo identity cards, which commuters must carry during the AmarnathYatra period.
Private vehicle users travelling towards Srinagar have been advised to use the old Jawahar Tunnel road to avoid security screening at Lamber in Banihal.
Commuters travelling from Jammu to Batote, Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, and adjoining areas have been advised to take the old Patnitop road to avoid screening at Nashri.
The Traffic Department advised passengers and LMV operators to travel during the daytime and avoid night journeys because of the risk of landslides, shooting stones, ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal, and increased traffic due to the annual yatra.
Goods carriers transporting fresh perishables and livestock have been asked to adhere to loading schedules and movement advisories, as heavy vehicles are being allowed to ply on alternate days.
Fruit growers and transporters carrying fresh produce from Kashmir towards Jammu have been advised to park their vehicles before 9 am at designated locations between Navyug Tunnel and Levadura to facilitate smooth movement.
Heavy vehicle operators have also been asked to avoid overloading, ensure the roadworthiness of their vehicles, carry adequate fuel and avoid unnecessary halts, particularly in landslide-prone stretches between Ramban and Banihal.
Meanwhile, the Traffic Department issued an advisory for Thursday, stating that subject to fair weather and improved road conditions, the AmarnathYatra convoy, passenger vehicles, and private cars would be allowed to ply from both Jammu to Srinagar and vice versa on the highway.
Heavy vehicles carrying goods will continue to operate on alternate days.
According to the advisory, LMVs would be allowed from Nagrota towards Srinagar between 7 am and noon, from Jakheni between 8 am and 1 pm, and from Qazigund towards Jammu between 11:30 am and 5:30 pm.
No vehicle would be allowed to move before or after the prescribed cut-off timings.
Subject to weather and road conditions, heavy vehicles would be permitted to move from Qazigund towards Jammu, but no heavy vehicle would be allowed after 7 pm.
The administration has also directed all empty petrol, diesel, and LPG tankers, trucks carrying empty LPG cylinders and empty Food Corporation of India vehicles to return to Jammu via the Mughal Road.
Vehicles with up to 10 tyres carrying perishable commodities have also been advised to use the Mughal Road on days when the up-convoy of heavy vehicles is scheduled on the highway.
Traffic authorities advised AmarnathYatris and other commuters to confirm the latest highway status with the Traffic Control Units in Jammu and Srinagar before undertaking their journey.
