The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) will remain closed for traffic on Friday as the road has suffered damage at several stretches between Jakheni and Chenani in Udhampur district, officials said.
Traffic Police Headquarters J&K said the highway had remained blocked for 24 hours from 1600 hrs on August 27 to 1600 hrs on August 28 due to extensive damage at several stretches.
Authorities have barred movement of all vehicles from Nagrota (Jammu) towards Reasi, Chenani, Patnitop, Doda, Ramban, Banihal and Srinagar. However, residents of Katra and Udhampur towns have been advised to carry valid photo identity cards to facilitate their movement.
Meanwhile, incessant rains have damaged one tube each of the Lakhanpur-Madhopur, Sahar Khad and Vijaypur bridges on the Jammu-Pathankot highway. The second tubes of the bridges are operational on a regulated basis and commuters have been urged to maintain lane discipline to avoid congestion.
On other routes, the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag (NH-244) road continues to remain closed. The Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari (SSG) road will be open for traffic on Friday, subject to fair weather and clearance from BRO, with LMVs followed by HMVs allowed in a regulated manner from Minamarg to Srinagar between 0500 hrs and 1000 hrs, and from Sonamarg to Kargil between 1130 hrs and 1730 hrs.
Similarly, the Mughal Road will be open for LMVs from both sides, while perishable-laden HMVs (six tyres only) will be allowed from Poonch to Shopian during notified hours, as per the order of District Magistrate Poonch. Cut-off timings have also been issued for vehicles from Jammu as well as Srinagar side.
Traffic Police has advised people to confirm the status of the roads before starting their journey on any route by contacting traffic control units in Jammu, Srinagar, Ramban, Udhampur, Kishtwar and Kargil.
