Kashmir Impulse Desk
Ramban, Aug 24
The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open to two-way traffic on Monday, although movement was slow at several stretches in Udhampur and Ramban districts because of road damage, restoration work and ongoing construction.
At Dewal in Udhampur district, traffic was restricted to a single lane along a 30-40 metre stretch affected by damage, an uneven surface and road undulations. The National Highways Authority of India has deployed workers and machinery to carry out repairs and road improvement.
In Ramban, vehicles were being regulated along the Maroog-Kishtwari Pather stretch, where construction and road improvement work has narrowed parts of the highway to a single lane.
Restoration of the Srinagar-bound tube at Dewal and Dhramthal was also under way. Erosion caused by recent rains had reduced the down tube to single-lane traffic at two or three locations.
Traffic officials said a large number of vehicles crossed the Udhampur-Banihal corridor despite intermittent delays at damaged and construction-affected stretches.
Authorities advised passenger vehicles and light motor vehicles to travel between Ramban and Banihal during daylight hours and avoid unnecessary night travel because of the risk of shooting stones, landslides and mudslides.
The movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will remain restricted between 7 am and 7 pm on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla axis because of widening work.
Up tankers will be allowed beyond Chenani only between 5 pm and 5 am.
Traffic authorities said highway movement remained subject to weather and road conditions and could be suspended if fresh landslides, mudslides, shooting stones or other obstructions occurred.
