Ramban, Jul 29: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open on Wednesday for the scheduled Amarnath Yatra convoy and two-way movement of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and heavy vehicles.
However, traffic continued to move at a slow pace due to bottlenecks at the landslide-affected Dewal area in Udhampur district and other vulnerable stretches along the highway.
Traffic officials said vehicular movement remained sluggish because of the single-lane carriageway and the uneven, undulating road surface at Dewal, where restoration work is still underway after extensive damage caused by recent heavy rains and landslides.
Slow movement was also reported on the single-lane stretch between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, while the breakdown of a few vehicles between Ramban and Banihal further affected the smooth flow of traffic.
The Dewal stretch continues to be the most critical bottleneck on the highway after heavy monsoon rains triggered a major landslide last week, washing away a portion of the carriageway and forcing the closure of the highway.
The disruption had left hundreds of passenger vehicles and trucks stranded on both sides before the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) restored traffic through a temporary single-lane alignment.
Since then, traffic has been regulated carefully while restoration and strengthening works continue.
In view of the India Meteorological Department’s forecast predicting another spell of rainfall over the coming days, the Traffic Police advised commuters to undertake journeys on the highway only after confirming the latest road status from the Traffic Control Units (TCUs) at Jammu, Ramban, and Srinagar. Travellers have also been urged to follow official traffic updates issued through the J&K Traffic Police’s social media platforms.
Authorities said that owing to the extensive damage at Dewal and the resulting congestion on the narrow temporary carriageway, inter-district movement of local commuters towards Srinagar will not be permitted after the cut-off time of 1 pm from Nagrota, Jammu, following the passage of the Amarnath Yatra convoy.
The restriction will be enforced after verification of valid photo identity cards, which commuters have been advised to carry during travel.
Private vehicle owners travelling towards Srinagar have been advised to use the old Jawahar Tunnel road to avoid screening and delays at Lamber, Banihal.
Similarly, commuters heading from Jammu to Batote, Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, and adjoining areas have been advised to use the Patnitop route instead of the Nashri corridor.
Passengers and operators of LMVs have also been advised to travel only during daylight hours, as night travel continues to remain risky due to shooting stones, the possibility of fresh landslides, and ongoing highway construction works between Ramban and Banihal.
Temporary traffic restrictions may also be imposed during the movement of Amarnath Yatra convoys.
Meanwhile, goods carriers transporting fresh fruits, vegetables, and livestock have been directed to follow the traffic advisory issued by the Traffic Police Headquarters, as heavy vehicles continue to be regulated on an alternate-day basis.
Fruit growers and transporters carrying perishable produce from Kashmir towards Jammu have been advised to load and park their vehicles before 9 am at designated locations between the Navyug Tunnel and Levdoora to facilitate smooth movement during the downward convoy schedule.
Authorities appealed to motorists to drive cautiously, cooperate with traffic personnel, and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rainfall, as restoration work on the damaged Dewal stretch is still in progress and weather conditions remain unpredictable.
