Jammu, July 31 -- 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...