Ramban, Feb 21: The Srinagar–Jammu National Highway 44 remained open on Saturday for two-way movement of light and medium passenger vehicles, while heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) were allowed to ply in one direction towards Jammu.
Traffic authorities said that subject to fair weather and favourable road conditions, the highway will continue to remain open on Sunday for two-way movement of light motor vehicles (LMVs). However, HMVs will be permitted to move towards Kashmir only after an assessment of road and traffic conditions.
Traffic movement remained slow at several locations between Maroog and Kishtwari Pather due to single-lane stretches, ongoing four-lane construction works and subsidence affecting a 20–30 metre stretch at Kishtwari Pather. Officials said hundreds of private cars and light to medium passenger vehicles plied on both sides of the highway during the day despite the bottlenecks.
The Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Department issued a fresh advisory stating that, weather permitting, LMVs will be allowed to move from both sides of NH-44 on Sunday. HMVs will be released from Qazigund towards Jammu after coordination between the Traffic Control Units (TCU) of Srinagar and Ramban to ensure smooth regulation.
Till the filing of this report, the highway remained open with a steady flow of vehicles, mostly load carriers, crossing the Ramban–Banihal sector.
Authorities attributed the slow movement to narrow stretches between Maroog and Kishtwari Pather, breakdown of a few heavy vehicles and the damaged portion caused by road subsidence. Due to the affected stretch at Kishtwari Pather, HMVs are being allowed to move on alternate days.
Passengers and LMV operators have been advised to undertake travel during daytime hours only. Night travel has been discouraged owing to the risk of shooting stones, landslides and ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
Earlier, Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police (National Highway) Ramban, Raja Adil Hamid, inspected the restoration works at Kishtwari Pather and reviewed the situation with officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Meanwhile, the Kishtwar–Sinthantop–Anantnag National Highway 244 continues to remain closed due to accumulation of snow over the past several weeks.
Commuters have been advised to confirm the latest road status with the Traffic Control Units at Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur and Ramban before planning their journeys.
