Snowfall Disrupts Traffic on Key Mountain Roads; Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag Highway, SSG Road Closed

SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER 13: Traffic movement on several important mountain roads in Jammu and Kashmir has been affected due to fresh snowfall and accumulation of snow, with authorities temporarily suspending vehicular movement on the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag National Highway (NH-244) and Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road.

According to the latest traffic advisory, the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road has been temporarily closed for all vehicular movement due to snow accumulation along the route.

Similarly, the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road has also been temporarily closed following fresh snowfall along the Zoji La axis, making the road temporarily unsuitable for vehicular movement.

Meanwhile, traffic authorities have issued conditional permission for vehicular movement on the Mughal Road (NH-701A), subject to favourable weather conditions, satisfactory road conditions and clearance from the road maintenance agency, GREF.

As per the advisory, Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs), followed by Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) up to ten tyres, shall be permitted to ply on the Mughal Road from both directions, connecting Poonch with Shopian and vice versa.

Vehicles will be allowed from Chandimarh (Bafliaz) towards Shopian and from Herpora (Shopian) towards Poonch only after receiving a green signal from the concerned road maintenance agencies.

The authorities have further clarified that vehicular movement will be permitted only up to 6:00 PM (1800 hours), and no vehicle will be allowed to proceed beyond the prescribed cut-off time.

ADVISORY FOR COMMUTERS

In view of prevailing weather conditions and the possibility of further snowfall, commuters and the general public have been advised to avoid undertaking journeys without first confirming the latest road status from the respective Traffic Control Units.

Travellers have been urged to strictly follow traffic advisories, maintain coordination with traffic authorities and avoid unnecessary travel on snow-affected mountain roads.

The authorities have stressed that road clearance and vehicular movement will remain subject to weather conditions and safety assessments by the concerned road maintenance agencies.(KNC)