Amarnath Yatra & Poor Road Conditions : Traffic police issues ‘comprehensive travel advisory’ for July 8

Srinagar, July 7: The Traffic Police Headquarters, Jammu and Kashmir, has issued a detailed travel advisory for July 8, outlining movement plans for all categories of vehicles on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), Mughal Road, Sinthan-Kishtwar route and the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari (SSG) road. The advisory is crucial in light of the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, poor road conditions and weather-related concerns.A statement issued here said that due to the risk of landslides and shooting stones, passenger vehicles and light motor vehicles (LMVs) are advised to travel during daylight hours only, particularly between Ramban and Banihal. “Subject to fair weather and road conditions, LMVs and SANJY Convoy will be allowed to ply from both directions (Jammu-Srinagar and vice versa) on NH-44,” the statement said. “HMVs shall be allowed on alternate days, with decisions based on real-time road assessments. TCU Jammu and Srinagar will liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing any movement.”It said that cut-off timings for LMVs/passenger vehicles—Nagrota (Jammu) to Srinagar: 06:00 hrs to 12:00 hrs, Jakheni (Udhampur) to Srinagar: 07:00 hrs to 13:00 hrs and Qazigund to Jammu: 11:30 hrs to 14:00 hrs. “No vehicle will be permitted to move before or after the cut-off timings. HMVs will be allowed from Jakheni (Udhampur) to Srinagar post road clearance, but no movement shall be allowed after 19:00 hrs,” the statement said.It said that in view of Amarnath Yatra and to decongest NH-44, returning vehicles such as empty LPG trucks, FCI vehicles and 10-tyre trucks are diverted via Mughal Road as per the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir’s directive. “For Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag Road (NH-244), subject to NHIDCL clearance, LMVs and designated HPSVs will be allowed from both directions. Timings-Parana to Anantnag: 08:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs and for Daksum to Kishtwar: 09:00 hrs to 15:00 hrs.”The statement said that no HMVs (except designated HPSVs) will be allowed as per SDM orders. “Traffic will be regulated on the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari Road based on BRO’s clearance–Minamarg to Srinagar– LMVs followed by HMVs from 05:00 hrs to 10:00 hrs and Sonamarg to Kargil– LMVs followed by HMVs from 11:30 hrs to 17:30 hrs,” it said. Security forces’ convoys must plan to avoid clashing with Yatra traffic. “With fair weather and road clearance by GREF, LMVs (Passenger/Private cars) shall be allowed from both directions, while HMVs up to ten tyres will be permitted only from Shopian to Poonch between 07:00 hrs and 18:00 hrs,” the advisory reads, adding that travellers are strongly advised to confirm the road status from Traffic Control Units before undertaking any journey. Key helpline numbers include—Jammu: 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732, 103, Srinagar: 0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091, 103, Ramban: 9419993745, 1800-180-7043, Udhampur: 8491928625, PCR Kishtwar: 9906154100 and PCR Kargil: 9541902330, 9541902331.