Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 29 

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open for two-way traffic on Wednesday despite fresh rainfall in Ramban district, providing relief to commuters and transporters, officials said.

Light motor vehicles and heavy vehicles were allowed to ply from both Srinagar and Jammu sides, although traffic movement was slow along some stretches, particularly between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, where only a single lane is operational.

Authorities said congestion was caused by the breakdown of several heavy vehicles, the movement of nomadic herds and ongoing road works in the Ramban-Banihal sector.

Subject to favourable weather and road conditions, the highway is expected to remain open for two-way movement on Thursday as well.

Officials advised passengers and light motor vehicle operators to travel only during daytime, warning against night travel due to risks such as landslides, shooting stones and limited visibility, especially along the Ramban-Banihal stretch.

Commuters were urged to follow lane discipline, with authorities cautioning that overtaking and wrong-lane driving could lead to further delays.

Traffic Control Units in Jammu, Ramban and Srinagar are monitoring the situation and coordinating updates on road conditions and travel advisories.

Separately, authorities said that movement on the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road would be restricted to light motor vehicles and private passenger vehicles, subject to weather conditions and clearance from infrastructure agencies.

Vehicles travelling from Kishtwar towards Srinagar via Sinthan Top will be allowed between 10 am and 3 pm, with no movement permitted beyond the cut-off time.

In view of the movement of government employees from Jammu to Srinagar, goods carriers will not be allowed on the highway in either direction on May 1 and May 3, officials said, advising operators transporting perishable goods or livestock to plan accordingly.