NH-44 open for regulated traffic, slow movement between Ramban-Banihal

Ramban, Feb 16: The Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH-44) remained open on Monday, with two-way movement of light and medium passenger vehicles and one-way movement of heavy motor vehicles toward Jammu, officials said.

However, traffic movement was slow along several stretches between Ramban and Banihal due to single-lane sections, road damage, and ongoing four-lane construction works.

Traffic authorities stated that the highway is expected to remain open on Tuesday as well, subject to fair weather and satisfactory road conditions. As per the advisory, light motor vehicles (LMVs) will be allowed to move in both directions, while HMVs will be permitted from Qazigund towards Jammu via the Navyug Tunnel after an assessment of road and traffic conditions.

However, vehicular movement remained slow at several points between Maroog and Kishtwari Pather due to single-lane stretches, ongoing four-lane construction works, and subsidence of a 20–30 metre road portion at Kishtwari Pather. Officials said the affected stretch has been reduced to a single lane, necessitating the movement of heavy vehicles on alternate days.

Despite the bottlenecks, hundreds of private cars and light and medium passenger vehicles plied on both sides of the highway throughout the day. A large number of heavy and medium load carriers transporting essential commodities, including diesel, petrol and LPG tankers, also crossed the Chanderkote–Ramban sector and continued their journey toward the Kashmir Valley.

The Traffic Control Unit (TCU) Srinagar has been directed to coordinate with TCU Ramban before releasing HMVs to ensure smooth regulation of traffic. Authorities said that, at the time of filing this report, the highway remained operational, with a steady flow of vehicles—mostly load carriers—crossing the Ramban–Banihal stretch.

Passengers and LMV operators have been advised to undertake travel during daytime hours only. Night travel has been discouraged due to the risk of shooting stones, landslides and ongoing construction activity between Ramban and Banihal.

Meanwhile, the Kishtwar–Sinthan–Anantnag National Highway (NH-244) continues to remain closed due to heavy snow accumulation.

The Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Department has urged commuters to check the latest road status with Traffic Control Units at Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur and Ramban before planning their journeys.