NH-44 open for 2-way traffic; bottlenecks slow movement

Ramban, Mar 3: The Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH-44) remained open on Tuesday for two-way movement of light, medium and heavy motor vehicles, offering relief to commuters and transporters.

Traffic authorities said that, subject to fair weather and favourable road conditions, the highway is likely to remain open on Wednesday as well. A final decision will be taken after a fresh assessment of road and traffic conditions.

Despite the restoration of two-way movement for heavy motor vehicles, traffic was slow at several stretches between Maroog and Kishtwari Pather due to single-lane sections and ongoing four-laning works in the Ramban–Banihal sector. The breakdown of a few heavy vehicles along the route further contributed to congestion.

Officials said hundreds of private cars and light to medium passenger vehicles plied on both sides of the highway during the day, negotiating intermittent bottlenecks. A steady movement of load carriers was also reported, particularly along the Ramban–Banihal stretch.

Authorities attributed the sluggish traffic primarily to narrow road stretches, ongoing construction activities and vehicle breakdowns en route.

Earlier in the morning, vehicular movement was temporarily halted in the Tharad area after the road maintenance agency, NHAI, carried out blasting of boulders along the highway in Udhampur district. Traffic was restored after debris was cleared from the road.

Passengers and light motor vehicle (LMV) operators have been advised to travel only during daytime hours. Night travel has been discouraged due to the risk of shooting stones, landslides and construction-related hazards in the Ramban–Banihal sector.

Meanwhile, National Highway 244 (Kishtwar–Sinthantop–Anantnag) continues to remain closed due to heavy accumulation of snow over the past several weeks.

Commuters have been advised to check the latest road status with Traffic Control Units in Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur and Ramban before planning their journeys.