Kashmir Impulse Desk
Ramban, Aug 9
The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open on Sunday for regulated two-way movement of Light Motor Vehicles, while heavy vehicles were being allowed towards Jammu from Kashmir under an established traffic management plan, authorities said.
Traffic was moving slowly along several vulnerable stretches, including a roughly 40-metre damaged section at Dewal-Samroli in Udhampur district and the Maroog-Kishtwari Pather stretch in Ramban, where restoration and four-laning work is underway.
The Dewal-Samroli section has been particularly difficult to manage because of a damaged and uneven road surface. Parts of the affected stretch have been reduced to single-lane traffic, requiring vehicles to pass under controlled conditions.
Potholes, eroded road edges, slush and slippery surfaces caused by monsoon rainfall have further reduced traffic speeds, authorities said.
The National Highways Authority of India has deployed workers, machinery and maintenance teams at vulnerable locations to carry out restoration work and keep the highway operational.
Traffic police have also been deployed to regulate vehicle movement and limit congestion.
Officials warned that several stretches remained vulnerable to further damage because of continuing rainfall, unstable slopes, landslides and shooting stones.
Traffic restrictions could be imposed temporarily when necessary to allow restoration work to proceed and protect commuters, officials said.
Authorities advised passengers travelling in light motor vehicles to undertake journeys during daylight hours, particularly along the Ramban-Banihal corridor, where road construction and monsoon-related hazards continue to affect traffic.
Heavy vehicles carrying fruit, vegetables, livestock and other perishable goods must follow the movement schedule issued by Traffic Police Headquarters.
Such vehicles are being permitted on alternate days.
Fruit growers and transporters travelling from Kashmir have been advised to park at designated locations between the Navyug Tunnel and Levdoora before 9 am on their notified day to facilitate regulated movement.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Ramban, Raja Adil Hameed, said the highway remained open to regulated two-way traffic and that necessary measures were being taken to maintain safe and orderly movement.
The highway has faced repeated disruptions in recent weeks as monsoon rainfall triggered landslides, mudslides, flash floods and shooting stones at various points between Udhampur, Ramban and Banihal.
Despite the weather-related damage, continued restoration and maintenance work by NHAI and other agencies has helped maintain the highway connection, officials said
