Srinagar-Jammu Highway Shut Tomorrow, Fresh Traffic Advisory Issued

SRINAGAR: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained closed for the second consecutive day on Friday due to ongoing restoration work between Jakheni and Chenani, with no completion timeline yet confirmed. In response, the Traffic Police Headquarters issued a fresh advisory for 30 August outlining restrictions and alternate routes.

According to an official spokesperson from the traffic department, the highway was blocked for a full 24 hours between 4:00 pm on 28 August and 4:00 pm on 29 August following extensive damage at multiple locations. The Jammu-Pathankot National Highway also sustained damage, with one tube of each bridge at Lakhanpur-Madhopur, Sahar Khad, and Vijaypur rendered unusable due to incessant rainfall. The remaining tubes are operational but restricted to regulated vehicular movement. Commuters have been urged to maintain lane discipline to prevent further delays.

As per the latest advisory, no vehicles will be allowed to travel from Nagrota (Jammu) towards Reasi, Chenani, Patnitop, Doda, Ramban, Banihal, and Srinagar on 30 August. However, residents of Katra and Udhampur are permitted to travel upon presentation of valid photo identification.

On National Highway 244 (Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag), only light motor vehicles (LMVs) will be permitted in both directions, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm from Anantnag and 9:00 am to 3:00 pm from Kishtwar, depending on weather conditions and under orders of local Sub-Divisional Magistrates.

Traffic on the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari (SSG) road will be regulated, with LMVs followed by heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) allowed from Minamarg to Srinagar between 5:00 am and 10:00 am, and from Sonamarg to Kargil between 11:30 am and 5:30 pm. Vehicles will not be permitted beyond the designated cut-off times. Security forces have been advised to coordinate their movement to minimise disruption to civilian traffic.

On the Mughal Road, LMVs will be allowed in both directions between Jammu and Srinagar via Poonch. HMVs carrying fresh perishables (six-tyre only) will be allowed to travel from Poonch to Shopian between 6:00 am and 4:30 pm. Cut-off timings for both directions have been announced by authorities.

Motorists have been strongly advised to confirm the latest road conditions with the respective Traffic Control Units (TCUs) in Jammu, Srinagar, Ramban, Udhampur, Kishtwar, and Kargil before setting out on their journey.