Traffic partially restored on old alignment of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway

JAMMU — Traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was restored partially this morning after remaining suspended for several hours, officials said today. Traffic control unit Ramban said that the highway is open for a single way via the old alignment of NH-44.

Deputy Commissioner, Ramban Mussarat Zia told the news agency KNO that NHAI has made the old alignment of NH-44 motorable and vehicles have been allowed to move on a one-to-one basis.

Earlier, traffic movement was temporarily suspended on the national highway, while Mughal Road was also closed following landslides triggered by heavy overnight rainfall.

Meanwhile, train service between Banihal and Qazigund stations was also suspended for the day.

Several landslides struck the national highway near Mehar, Cafeteria Morh, Keela Morh, Sita Ram Passi and Panthiyal in Ramban district today.

Officials said that a portion of the road leading to the Panthiyal tunnel was washed away. They said that the work was underway to clear the road and repair the affected sections despite incessant rains. “People are advised not to travel on the highway till the restoration work is completed,” he added.

Notably, the weatherman has predicted widespread moderate to heavy rains with thundershowers under the influence of monsoon winds and western disturbances across Jammu and Kashmir till Sunday.