Repair work to disrupt night traffic on Jammu-Srinagar Highway

To ensure better road connectivity, particularly ahead of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, traffic on the vital Jammu-Srinagar National Highway will remain suspended during specified hours on June 12, 14 and 16 to facilitate repair work in Ramban district.

In a statement, the J&K Traffic Police said that, in the interest of public safety and on the request of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the District Magistrate of Ramban has granted permission for relaying works, including the execution of bituminous surfacing, during night hours on June 12, 14 and 16 at various locations along NH-44, including the critical stretch at Nachlana.

“Accordingly, traffic shall remain suspended between Nashri and Navyug Tunnel on the intervening nights of June 12/13, 14/15 and 16/17 from 10 pm to 5 am,” the Traffic Police said.

In view of the suspension, no vehicle movement of any kind will be permitted after 5 pm from Udhampur towards Ramban, Banihal and Srinagar. Likewise, no vehicle will be allowed to move after 8 pm from Qazigund towards Banihal, Ramban, Udhampur and Jammu. “Load carrier operators transporting fresh perishables or livestock are advised to plan and load their vehicles accordingly,” the statement added.

According to an order issued by the Ramban district administration, the Project Director, NHAI, informed authorities that relaying work is scheduled at several locations, including the critical Nachlana stretch, to minimise inconvenience to commuters and ensure smooth execution of the bituminous works.

“In order to ensure smooth execution of the construction work and to avoid inconvenience or safety hazards to the general public, temporary regulation of traffic is deemed necessary,” the order stated.

The order further directed the Project Director, NHAI, Project Implementation Unit, Ramban, to ensure that the construction work is completed within the stipulated timeframe and that adequate safety measures, including cautionary signboards and barricades, are put in place.

It added that the affected stretches on National Highway-44, including the critical Nachlana section, shall remain closed during the scheduled dates and timings.

SSP Ramban, and SSP, Traffic NH-44, Ramban, have been directed to implement the order in letter and spirit.