Snow Shuts Kishtwar-Sinthan, SSG Roads

Mughal Road to Reopen, Traffic Slow on Jammu-Kashmir Highway
Jammu | Nov, 13: Fresh snowfall forced the closure of the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244) and the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) road on Friday, officials said.
Vehicular traffic was suspended along NH-244 due to heavy snow accumulation, while the SSG axis was closed following fresh snowfall around Zojila. Meanwhile, the Mughal Road (NH-701A) connecting Poonch and Shopian will reopen for two-way traffic on Saturday, subject to fair weather and clearance from the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF).
“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,” a Traffic Police advisory stated.
Traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained sluggish over the past 24 hours due to single-lane stretches, uneven road surfaces at Dawal in Udhampur and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, and a vehicle breakdown at Nachlana, officials said. On Saturday, passenger LMVs, private cars, permitted HMVs, and security convoys will be allowed to ply from both ends on NH-44, subject to road conditions and confirmation from the Traffic Control Unit (TCU) Ramban.
Commuters have been advised to travel only during daytime hours and avoid unnecessary stoppages between Ramban and Banihal due to ongoing widening work and the risk of landslides and shooting stones, reports said. Furthermore, due to construction on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla stretch, Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers carrying inflammable materials are restricted from plying between 7 am and 7 pm, and will only be permitted beyond Chenani between 5 pm and 5 am. Operators of heavy vehicles and perishable goods carriers have been urged to confirm road statuses with respective TCUs before commencing their journeys.