Introduction:
Srinagar/Jammu: Travel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) is currently uncertain for Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
The J&K Traffic Police Headquarters has issued a strict advisory urging commuters to avoid starting their journey until the road conditions are officially assessed this morning. This warning aligns with the Meteorological Department’s Orange Alert for the region, forecasting fresh snowfall, rain, and a sharp drop in temperatures.
NH-44 Status: Why is Traffic Halted?
According to the official plan for Jan 27, the final decision regarding vehicular movement will be taken today only after authorities inspect the road.
The Danger Zone:
Authorities have flagged the stretch between Nachlana and the Navyug Tunnel as highly dangerous.
- Black Ice Alert: Recent snow accumulation combined with freezing overnight temperatures has led to the formation of “Black Ice”—a transparent coating of ice that makes the road extremely slippery and invisible to drivers.
- Shooting Stones: With the predicted wet spell, there is a high likelihood of shooting stones and landslides along the vulnerable Ramban-Banihal stretch.
Official Advisory: Commuters are explicitly advised to “undertake journey only after confirming the status of the road” from Traffic Control Units (TCUs).
Other Roads: Confirmed Closures
While NH-44 is under review, other major mountain passes remain completely shut due to heavy snow accumulation:
- Mughal Road: 🔴 CLOSED
- Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road: 🔴 CLOSED
- Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag (NH-244): 🔴 CLOSED
Essential Traffic Helpline Numbers
Save these numbers to check the live status before leaving home:
| Unit | Contact Numbers |
| Jammu TCU | 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732 |
| Srinagar TCU | 0194-2450022, 0194-2485396, 1800-180-7091 |
| Ramban TCU | 9419993745, 1800-180-7043 |
| Udhampur | 8491928625 |
| PCR Kishtwar | 9906154100 |
Key Highlights: What You Should Do
- Check Twitter: Follow the official handle @Traffic_hqrs for real-time updates.
- Visual Confirmation: Early reports and visuals from the ground already show fresh snow accumulation in the Banihal sector, confirming the difficult driving conditions.
- Don’t Rush: If you are in Jammu or Srinagar, stay put. Do not rush to the checkpoints (Nagrota/Qazigund) as you may get stranded if the decision is negative.
Read Also:
