Ramban, Feb 18: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway Sunday remained open for two-way vehicular traffic despite rains that lashed Jammu, Udhampur up to Banihal.
This stretch has been witnessing a fresh spell of rain since Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, the Mahu area of Khari tehsil in Ramban district received a fresh spell of snowfall on Sunday.
Officials said that three to four-inch fresh snow was recorded in Mahu and its peripheral mountains.
On the other hand, as per the advisory issued by the administration, the concerned agencies have been asked to remain on stand-by for any eventuality arising due to rain or snowfall in the area.
Officials said no landslides or shooting stones hampered the movement of vehicular traffic so far on the highway.
“Vehicles plied smoothly but cautiously on the highway as the drivers were educated about the rolling stones and were asked by the traffic police to remain cautious and active while driving from Banihal to Nashri stretch,” they said.
The officials monitoring the regulation of traffic in Ramban, while updating the status of the highway, said, “Despite the rain, the flow of traffic has been smooth. Stretch has not witnessed traffic snarls. However, due to a narrow road at Dalwass, Mehar, lower and upper Nachlana up to Kishtwari Pathar, traffic movement is slow.”
They advised vehicle operators to follow lane discipline and cautioned that overloading would lead to heavy fines.
“The highway is a slide-prone area at some places and needs special precautions for the drivers and vehicle owners while driving vehicles between the Nashri and Banihal sectors,” they said.
Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police National Highway, Ramban, Rohit Baskotra, while giving an updated status of the highway on Sunday evening, said, “As heavy rains continue all across Udhampur-Banihal sectors, the vehicle operators are advised to drive cautiously.”
He advised vehicle operators to avoid unnecessarily venturing on the highway.
“In case of landslides or shooting stones, halt and park vehicles at safer places,” the SSP advised.
Earlier, J&K Traffic Department issued an advisory in which people and commuters were advised not to travel on the highway, without confirming the status of the road from Traffic Control Units (TCUs), Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur and Ramban due to inclement weather predictions of the Meteorological Department.