Traffic on NH Highway to Remain Suspended Today; One-Way Movement Permitted on Mughal Road
Mughal Road Restored, Reconnecting Valley Amid NH-44 Closure
In a significant development, the historic Mughal Road has been restored, re-establishing road connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country. Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) began moving from Srinagar towards Jammu on Monday after clearance was received from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
The alternative route came into use as the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained blocked for a second straight day due to landslides in the Ramban district.
Speaking to the media at Hirpora in South Kashmir’s Shopian district, SSP Traffic Rural Kashmir Ravinder Paul Singh confirmed that the Mughal Road had been restored earlier. “Today, LMVs were allowed from Srinagar to Jammu after we received clearance from BRO and other road agencies,” he said.
Singh added that efforts are underway to allow heavy vehicles, including trucks and buses, to ply from Tuesday, depending on clearance from concerned departments. “Ensuring the continued supply of essential commodities to the Valley is our top priority,” he stated.
Until full restoration, only one-way traffic for LMVs will be permitted as per advisories issued by the Traffic Headquarters. Commuters are urged to check the latest updates before traveling via this route. Priority will also be given to apple-laden trucks stranded near Hirpora.
Meanwhile, tourist buses remain stuck for hours in Pulwama and Shopian districts. Alpesh, a tourist bus driver from Gujarat, shared that he and senior citizen passengers had been stranded near Qazigund since Saturday. “We were redirected via the Mughal Road on Monday morning but have now been waiting at Hirpora for over five hours,” he said, expressing frustration and appealing for swift movement.
Local residents offered food and fruits to the stranded passengers. “We just want to get back home,” Alpesh added.
The J&K Traffic Police Headquarters issued a travel advisory, urging commuters not to use the Jammu-Srinagar NH-44 on Tuesday as restoration work is still underway in flood-hit Ramban. “Vehicular movement on NH-44 will remain suspended tomorrow. People are advised to avoid travel until the road is restored and deemed safe,” the advisory said.
According to the advisory, the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag (NH-244) route remains closed due to fresh snowfall. A decision on traffic movement on this road will be taken after approval from NHIDCL.
The Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road will allow only one-way traffic (from Kargil to Srinagar) for LMVs with anti-skid chains, followed by HMVs (only six-wheelers), depending on road conditions. Vehicles will be allowed from Minamarg until 1:30 PM, after which no movement will be permitted.
The Mughal Road will also allow LMVs, including passenger and private vehicles, to move in both directions—Srinagar to Jammu and vice versa—via Poonch, provided the weather is fair and roads are clear. Vehicles will be permitted between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM from Behramgala (Baffliaz) and Herpora (Shopian).
The advisory also outlined cut-off timings for vehicles from both Jammu and Srinagar. From the Jammu side, vehicles must pass Akhnoor by 10:00 AM, Bhambla by 11:00 AM, Rajouri by 1:00 PM, Manjakote by 1:30 PM, Surankote by 2:30 PM, and Behramgala by 3:00 PM.
From the Srinagar side, commuters must cross TRC Srinagar by 12:30 PM, Nowgam Peaks by 1:00 PM, Pantha Chowk by 1:00 PM, Pampore by 2:00 PM, Marvel Crossing and Kandizal by 2:00 PM, Khudwani and Chawalgam by 2:15 PM, Keegam by 2:30 PM, and Herpora by 3:00 PM.
No vehicle will be allowed after these cut-off timings, and the Thanamandi-DKG-Baffliaz route remains closed.
The Bhaderwah-Chamba road also continues to be closed due to snow accumulation.
Travelers are advised to confirm the latest road status from traffic control units before starting their journey. Contact numbers include:
- Jammu: 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732, 103
- Srinagar: 0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091, 103
- Ramban: 9419993745, 1800-180-7043
- Udhampur: 8491928625
- PCR Kishtwar: 9906154100
- PCR Kargil: 9541902330, 9541902331
- PCR Ganderbal: 9906668731
