Sgr-Jmu highway open, snowfall shuts NH-244

Ramban, Dec 23: The Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH-44) remained open for two-way traffic on Tuesday, officials said, providing relief to commuters and transporters amid winter conditions.

According to traffic authorities, light motor vehicles (LMVs), passenger vehicles, heavy passenger service vehicles (HPSVs), private cars, and heavy goods carriers were allowed to ply from both the Jammu and Srinagar sides. Subject to fair weather and road conditions, similar traffic movement is expected to continue on Wednesday.

Officials said that light, medium, and heavy vehicles moved in both directions throughout the day. However, traffic flow remained slow at several locations due to single-lane stretches and vehicle breakdowns. Slow movement was reported at Balinalla, Dewal, Nashri–Dalwas, and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather. The breakdown of two heavy vehicles further disrupted traffic at some points.

Meanwhile, the Kishtwar–Sinthantop–Anantnag National Highway (NH-244) remained closed for the third consecutive day due to heavy accumulation of snow, officials confirmed.

Authorities have advised commuters to check the latest traffic updates from the Traffic Control Units (TCUs) at Srinagar, Ramban, and Jammu, as well as the official social media platforms of the Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police, before starting their journey.

Passengers and LMV operators have been urged to prefer daytime travel and strictly avoid night journeys, especially along vulnerable stretches. Officials also cautioned that night movement of heavy vehicles between the Nashri and Navyug tunnels could lead to inconvenience and delays.

Commuters were further advised to maintain lane discipline, with traffic police warning that overtaking and wrong-lane driving could result in congestion and pose serious safety risks.