Jammu-Srinagar Highway Traffic Advisory for October 17Kashmir

The movement of nine nomadic herds across the Banihal-Nachlana stretch, together with the breakdown of two vehicles at Marog and Monkey Morh, added to the traffic pressure during the period. The police said the Marog-Kishtwari Pather stretch could remain slow due to the continued movement of nomadic herds, and advised commuters to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking.

<h2>Traffic plan for October 17</h2> For October 17, subject to favourable weather and road conditions, passenger light motor vehicles, private cars and goods carriers will be allowed to travel on NH-44 in both directions between Jammu and Srinagar. Security forces&#8217; vehicles will also be permitted to move in both directions after confirming the highway&#8217;s status with the Traffic Control Unit in Ramban.

Commuters and LMV operators have been advised to undertake journeys during daylight hours and avoid night travel because of the risk of shooting stones and landslides, nomadic movement and ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.

<h2>Tanker restrictions and other routes</h2> Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will face daytime restrictions on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch between 7 am and 7 pm owing to widening work by the National Highways Authority of India. Loaded tankers carrying inflammable material will not be permitted through tunnels, while up-bound tankers will be allowed beyond Chenani only between 5 pm and 5 am.

On the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244), passenger LMVs and private cars will be allowed in both directions, subject to favourable weather, suitable road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agency. Vehicles will be permitted from PP Parana towards Anantnag between 8 am and 4 pm, and from Daksum towards Kishtwar between 9 am and 4 pm, with no vehicle allowed to proceed after the prescribed cut-off times.

On the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road, LMVs will be allowed in both directions subject to road clearance. Movement from Sonamarg towards Kargil and from Minamarg towards Srinagar will be permitted until 1 pm, while heavy motor vehicles travelling from Minamarg towards Srinagar may move between noon and 5 pm. Motorists have been asked to carry and use anti-skid chains on slippery stretches. On Mughal Road (NH-701A), LMVs followed by heavy motor vehicles with up to ten tyres will be allowed in both directions between 7 am and 6 pm from Chandimarh in Poonch towards Shopian and from Herpora in Shopian towards Poonch.

The advisory also asks owners of goods carriers transporting fresh produce and livestock to follow the prescribed loading guidelines, while heavy-vehicle operators have been told to avoid overloading, keep their vehicles roadworthy and carry sufficient fuel. Commuters have been advised against unnecessary halts between Ramban and Banihal, particularly near landslide- and shooting stone-prone areas, and to confirm road conditions with the relevant traffic control units before starting their journeys. The Traffic Police can be contacted through the Jammu control room at 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550 or 103; Srinagar at 0194-2450022, 0194-2485396 or 103; Ramban at 9419993745; Udhampur at 8491928625; and PCR Kishtwar at 9906154100.