Ramban/Banihal: After facing disruptions due to fresh snowfall and shooting stones, the lifeline of the valley, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), has been officially reopened for traffic today, Thursday, January 29, 2026. However, commuters are warned of a critical bottleneck that could add hours to their journey.
Commuters Cautioned: A critical 40-50 meter stretch of the road has suffered subsidence (“sunk”) at Kishtwari Pather (near Banihal). This area is now a precarious single-lane zone.
Traffic Plan for Today (Jan 29, 2026)
According to J&K Traffic Police Headquarters
1. Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs)
- Status: Allowed from BOTH SIDES (Jammu to Srinagar and vice versa).
- Advisory: Drivers are urged to cross the Kishtwari Pather stretch with extreme caution. Strict lane discipline is mandatory. Traffic Police have warned that any attempt to overtake in this sinking zone will cause a complete gridlock.
2. Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs)
- Direction: Allowed ONLY from Jakheni (Udhampur) towards Srinagar.
- Restriction: No trucks are allowed to move from Srinagar to Jammu today.
- Cut-off Time: No HMVs will be allowed to cross Jakheni after 2:00 PM to prevent congestion at the sinking site.
3. Security Convoys
- Advised to ply from Jammu towards Srinagar only after confirming the status from TCU Ramban, as the narrow carriageway may not support wide convoy vehicles easily.
Danger Zones: Frost and Shooting Stones
While the sun may be out, the road conditions remain treacherous in the upper reaches.
- Slippery Stretch: The area between Nachlana and Navyug Tunnel is reporting severe frost formation due to recent snow. Drive slowly.
- Shooting Stones: The risk of shooting stones remains high in the Ramban sector. Night travel is strictly discouraged.
Status of Other Roads
| Road Name | Status | Reason |
| Mughal Road | ⛔ CLOSED | Heavy snow at Peer Ki Gali |
| Srinagar-Leh (SSG) | ⛔ CLOSED | Snow at Zojila Pass |
| Kishtwar-Anantnag | ⛔ CLOSED | Snow at Sinthan Top |
Key Highlights
- Road Status: ✅ OPEN (for LMVs).
- Critical Hazard: ⚠ 50m sunk road section at Kishtwari Pather (Single Lane).
- Next Step: Dial 103 for real-time updates before leaving home.
FAQ Section
A1: Yes, LMVs (passenger cars) are allowed from Srinagar towards Jammu today. However, expect slow movement near Banihal due to the single-lane restriction at the sinking site.
A2: No. Today, HMVs (Trucks) are allowed only from Udhampur towards Srinagar. This one-way restriction is essential to manage the bottleneck at Kishtwari Pather.
A3: Mughal Road remains closed due to significant snow accumulation. It is unlikely to reopen until a major improvement in weather allows for snow clearance operations, which may take several days.
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