Jammu-Srinagar National Highway Traffic Update: New Advisory for January 31

JAMMU/SRINAGAR — January 30, 2026: The Traffic Police Headquarters for Jammu and Kashmir has issued a comprehensive travel advisory for January 31, 2026, highlighting significant restrictions on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) due to road damage and winter weather conditions.

Currently, a 20–30 meter single-lane stretch at Kishtwari Pather, caused by road sinking, has necessitated that Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) operate only on alternate days. While Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs), High-Performance Vehicles (HPVs), and private cars are permitted to travel from both Jammu and Srinagar, HMVs will only be allowed to move from Jakheni, Udhampur, toward Srinagar after a situational assessment, with a strict cutoff time of 1400 hrs.

Security Forces are also requested to follow the one-way plan from Jammu toward Srinagar to avoid congestion in the narrow corridors between Ramban and Banihal.Commuters and LMV operators are strongly encouraged to travel during daylight hours and avoid night journeys due to the high risk of shooting stones, landslides, and ongoing construction work.

Furthermore, recent snow accumulation has led to frost formation between Nachlana and the NAVYUG Tunnel, creating slippery and hazardous road conditions. Drivers must maintain strict lane discipline, as overtaking and wrong-lane driving are expected to cause severe congestion.

Operators carrying perishable goods or livestock are advised to load vehicles strictly according to specific police instructions due to the bottleneck at Kishtwari Pather. Meanwhile, other major routes, including the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road (NH-244), the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) road, and the Mughal Road, remain completely closed to all vehicular movement due to heavy snow.

Before beginning any journey, the public is urged to verify the current road status by contacting the Traffic Control Units at the following numbers: Jammu (0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732, or 103), Srinagar (0194-2450022, 0194-2485396, 18001807091, or 103), Ramban (9419993745, 1800-180-7043), Udhampur (8491928625), PCR Kishtwar (9906154100), and PCR Kargil (9541902330, 9541902331).