Traffic congestion, several accidents reported on NSE ahead of Deepavali

KUALA LUMPUR: Traffic congestion was reported along several major stretches of the North-South Expressway (NSE) from midnight, with several accidents reported ahead of tomorrow's Deepavali celebrations.

Congestion was reported on both sides of the expressway, particularly along the northbound route, while several locations experienced disruptions due to accidents and vehicle breakdowns.

According to updates by PLUS on X, traffic congestion was first reported at 12.04am along the northbound stretch from Permatang Pauh to Sungai Dua.

Similar conditions were reported from Slim River to Sungkai, Sungai Buloh Hospital to the Rawang rest and recreation (R&R) area, Jasin to Ayer Keroh, Kulai to Sedenak, and Skudai to Senai.

For southbound traffic, congestion was also reported on the North-South Expressway Central Link (ELITE) from Bandar Serenia to Bandar Baru Nilai.

Meanwhile, an accident at Km420.7 northbound, from Bukit Beruntung to Bukit Tagar, at 7.31am caused the emergency lane to be blocked, resulting in traffic congestion.

Several other accidents also disrupted traffic, including one at Km81 northbound, from Ayer Hitam to Yong Peng Selatan.

PLUS said the left lane was blocked following the accident, causing a 7km congestion, which had increased to 9km in an update at 3.06am.

An accident was also reported at Km354 northbound, from Slim River to Sungkai, at 3.27am, blocking the right lane and causing congestion.

However, a 4.29am update stated that the right lane had been reopened, while the emergency lane remained closed and traffic was still congested.

Other accidents were reported at Km409.6 northbound, from Lembah Beringin to Tanjung Malim, and Km315, from Tapah to Gopeng.

Meanwhile, a broken-down trailer at Km320.3 northbound, from Tapah to Gopeng, at 3.43am blocked the left lane and caused traffic congestion.

For southbound traffic, accidents were reported at Km227.3, from Pedas Linggi to Simpang Ampat; Km277.6, from Bandar Baru Nilai to Bandar Ainsdale; and Km267.2, from Bandar Ainsdale to Seremban.

A crash was also reported at Km160 southbound, from Tangkak to Bukit Gambir, blocking the emergency lane and causing congestion.

PLUS activated the SmartLane at Km151.4 to Km146.4 northbound, from Bukit Tambun Utara to Juru, to help ease traffic congestion.

According to a PLUS update at 7.41am, the SmartLane was also activated at Km159.2 to Km162.7 southbound, from Bukit Tambun Utara to Jawi.

The activation allows light vehicles to use the emergency lanes along the designated SmartLane stretches at both locations.

Meanwhile, traffic on the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway and East Coast Expressway Phase 1 (LPT1) was reported to be smooth in both directions as of 7am.

According to the expressway operator, congestion had earlier been reported on the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway at 2.25am, involving the eastbound stretches from Genting Sempah to Bukit Tinggi and Bukit Tinggi to Lentang.

The 2km and 5.3km congestion was caused by an increase in vehicle volume, but traffic had returned to normal in updates between 2.30am and 7am.