J&K highway to remain closed on Friday for widening, debris clearance operation

Jammu, July 30: Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway will remain suspended on Friday to facilitate widening of the carriageway and removal of overhanging debris at vulnerable locations between Udhampur and Banihal, officials said on Thursday. The decision followed requests from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). District magistrates of Udhampur and Ramban issued separate orders permitting the works, stating it was in the interest of the safety of commuters and drivers using the strategic highway. The works include widening the hill-side carriageway at Ladha and Samroli and removing loose, overhanging debris near Gangroo and Kishtwari Pather along the Udhampur-Banihal stretch of highway, officials said. Due to the closure, movement of all vehicles will remain suspended between Jakheni in Udhampur district and the Navyug Tunnel near Banihal to facilitate restoration and widening work, they said. The authorities also imposed restrictions on movement of vehicles from both sides of the highway starting Thursday night. Accordingly, officials said no vehicle will be allowed to proceed beyond Nagrota on the Jammu side towards Srinagar, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Patnitop, or beyond Qazigund towards Ramban, Udhampur and Jammu after 10 pm on Thursday. The traffic police advised commuters to avoid journeys on the highway during the closure and urged them to follow official traffic advisories before planning travel.