Ramban, Aug 23: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open for regulated two-way traffic on Sunday, even as fresh rainfall triggered a mudslide on the Batote-Doda-Kishtwar highway and slowed vehicular movement at several vulnerable stretches in Udhampur and Ramban districts.
Traffic movement on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained slow at Dewal in Udhampur and along the Maroog-Kishtwari Pather stretch in Ramban amid ongoing restoration, construction and road improvement works.
At Dewal, an around 30-40-metre stretch has been affected by road damage, uneven surface and undulations.
Traffic is being regulated through a single lane at the affected portion to facilitate safe movement of vehicles.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has deployed men and machinery at vulnerable locations and is carrying out restoration and road improvement works.
Restoration work on the Srinagar-bound tube at Dewal and Dhramthal is also progressing. Officials said efforts were being made to complete the works at the earliest and restore normal traffic movement.
The down tube has been reduced to single-lane movement at two to three points following erosion caused by recent rains, requiring careful regulation of traffic.
In Ramban district, traffic movement remained regulated along the Maroog-KishtwariPather stretch, where vehicles were negotiating restricted single-lane portions amid ongoing construction and road improvement works.
Meanwhile, a fresh spell of monsoon rainfall triggered a massive mudslide in the Ragi Nullah area between Batote and Doda on Sunday, disrupting traffic on the Batote-Doda-Kishtwar National Highway (NH-244) for several hours.
The mudslide brought a large quantity of mud, stones and debris onto the highway, completely blocking the carriageway and disrupting the movement of vehicles on the vital road link connecting Batote with Doda and Kishtwar.
The concerned road maintenance agency immediately pressed men and machinery into service and took up debris clearance on priority.
Officials said the accumulated debris was cleared after several hours of efforts, following which vehicular traffic on the highway was restored by Sunday afternoon.
The disruption came amid continued rainfall in parts of the Chenab Valley, increasing the risk of mudslides, shooting stones and other weather-related hazards along vulnerable stretches.
Officials at the Traffic Control Unit (TCU), Ramban, said the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway continued to remain open and restoration work at Dewal and other affected locations was underway.
Traffic was being regulated through available carriageways to maintain connectivity along the strategic highway.
Despite the restrictions, a large number of vehicles crossed the Udhampur-Banihal corridor during the day.
Traffic personnel remained deployed at vulnerable locations to regulate movement and manage congestion.
At Dewal, the damaged and uneven road surface, coupled with construction activity, resulted in intermittent slowdowns, particularly for heavy vehicles.
Similar conditions prevailed along the Maroog-KishtwariPather stretch.
Traffic authorities advised commuters to check the latest highway status before undertaking their journey.
Passenger vehicles and light motor vehicles have been advised to travel between Ramban and Banihal during daylight hours and avoid unnecessary night travel in view of the possibility of shooting stones, landslides, mudslides and other weather-related hazards.
Motorists have also been urged to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking, wrong-lane driving and unnecessary stoppages at vulnerable points, which could aggravate congestion and hamper traffic movement.
Truck operators carrying fresh and perishable commodities and livestock have been directed to adhere to prescribed loading norms.
Heavy vehicle operators have been advised against overloading and asked to ensure proper vehicle fitness and carry adequate fuel in view of possible delays caused by road or weather-related disruptions.
The TCU Jammu said that, subject to fair weather and satisfactory road conditions, passenger Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs), private cars and heavy vehicles and goods carriers would be allowed to ply on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway in both directions on Monday.
Authorities, however, cautioned that traffic movement would remain subject to prevailing weather and road conditions and could be regulated or suspended in case of fresh landslides, shooting stones, mudslides or any other obstruction.
Commuters have been advised to remain in touch with the TCUs at Jammu, Ramban, and Srinagar and follow official advisories before and during their journey.
Authorities have also urged commuters on NH-244 to exercise caution, particularly along landslide-prone stretches, as further rainfall could trigger fresh mudslides and temporarily disrupt traffic.
