Snowfall leads to closure of Kishtwar-Sinthan, SSG roads

Jammu, Nov 13: Fresh snowfall led to the closure of Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag and the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road on Friday.
An official said that vehicular traffic was suspended on the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244) due to snow accumulation, while the SSG road was shut following fresh snowfall along the Zojila axis.
An advisory issued by the Traffic Police said the Mughal Road (NH-701A), connecting Poonch and Shopian districts, will be open for traffic from both sides on Saturday, subject to favourable weather conditions, good road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agency, GREF, the advisory said. “Light motor vehicles (LMVs), followed by heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) of up to 10 tyres, will be allowed to ply on the road up to 6 pm. No vehicle will be permitted beyond the prescribed cut-off time,” it added.
Meanwhile, traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained “very slow “during the past 24 hours due to single-lane stretches, uneven road surfaces at Dawal in Udhampur and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, besides a vehicle breakdown at Nachlana, an official said, adding that traffic was regulated at Dawal, where a stretch of around 30-40 metres is single-lane.
For Saturday, subject to favourable weather and improved road conditions, passenger LMVs, private cars and goods-carrying vehicles, including HMVs and other permitted vehicles, will be allowed to ply on NH-44 from both Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa, he said, adding, security forces convoys will also be permitted to move in both directions after confirming the highway’s status with the Traffic Control Unit (TCU) Ramban.
The Traffic Police have advised commuters to undertake journeys on NH-44 during daytime and avoid night travel due to the risk of shooting stones and landslides, besides ongoing construction work between Ramban and Banihal.
In view of widening work on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch, the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers carrying inflammable material will remain restricted during daytime between 7 am and 7 pm, as such vehicles are not permitted through tunnels, the advisory said, adding, up-bound tankers will be allowed beyond Chenani only between 5 pm and 5 am.
Operators of goods carriers transporting fresh perishable items and livestock have been advised to plan their journeys in accordance with traffic advisories. Heavy vehicle operators have also been asked to avoid overloading, ensure vehicle fitness and carry sufficient fuel.
Commuters have been advised against unnecessary stoppages between Ramban and Banihal, particularly in landslide- and shooting stone-prone areas.
The traffic police have urged travellers to confirm road conditions with the respective Traffic Control Units before starting their journeys. (KNO)