Jammu Tawi, Jan 12: Authorities on Monday advised passengers and Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) operators to avoid travelling during night hours on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway and to plan their journeys during the daytime.
The Traffic Police, in its advisory, said that night movement of Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) between the Nashri Tunnel and Navyug Tunnel often causes inconvenience to commuters, and should be avoided.
Motorists have been urged to strictly follow lane discipline and warned that overtaking and wrong-lane driving lead to traffic congestion, according to the advisory issued.
Subject to fair weather and road conditions, LMVs, passenger vehicles, police said private cars and HMVs (goods carriers) will be allowed from both sides on the National Highway, with Traffic Control Units coordinating and monitoring road status.
On the Kishtwar–Sinthan–Anantnag road, the stretch remains closed for vehicular movement due to fresh snow accumulation.
Regarding the Srinagar–Sonamarg–Gumari road, the advisory states, “Subject to fair weather and good road conditions and after receiving clearance from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), traffic movement will be allowed from Kargil towards Srinagar. LMVs, followed by HMVs up to six tyres, equipped with anti-skid chains, will be permitted to move from Minamarg towards Srinagar between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm.”
Motorists have been advised to carry anti-skid chains to ensure better grip on slippery road conditions. The Traffic Control Unit (TCU) Srinagar and PCR Kargil will inform all concerned about the cut-off timings.
For the Mughal Road, the advisory states, “Subject to fair weather and road conditions and after receiving clearance from road maintenance agencies (GREF), LMVs, passenger vehicles and private cars fitted with anti-skid chains will be allowed from both sides—Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa via Poonch. These vehicles will be permitted to travel from Chandimarh (Baffliaz) towards Shopian and from Herpora (Shopian) towards Poonch between 10:30 am and 2:30 pm.”
No vehicle will be allowed beyond the cut-off time. TCU Jammu and TCU Srinagar will keep all concerned informed about the timings, it added.
Commuters have been advised to check the latest road status from Traffic Control Units before commencing their journey.
Vehicular traffic restored on Mughal Road
Jammu Tawi, Jan 12: The historic Mughal Road, connecting Rajouri and Poonch districts with the Kashmir Valley, was reopened for normal traffic on Monday after remaining closed for a week due to heavy snowfall, officials said.
They said the road was initially reopened partially on Sunday night, allowing only those vehicles which were stranded on either side to pass through.
“On Monday morning, traffic movement was fully restored. The highway was closed for vehicular traffic due to heavy snowfall”, they said.
However, the traffic police has issued fresh cut-off timings, stipulating that vehicles would be allowed to cross the cut-off points at both ends only till 2.30 pm, after which no traffic would be permitted on the stretch.
Officials said there is still partial snow-cover at Pir Ki Gali, and slippery road conditions are likely during evening hours.
The Jammu-Poonch highway, which remained shut for three hours due to landslide, has also been restored for the normal traffic, they added
