GANDERBAL: The Srinagar-Ladakh Highway, a vital connectivity link between Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh, has been reopened for one-way passenger traffic after days of closure due to heavy snowfall.
Officials said that on Monday, approximately 100 stranded vehicles were allowed to travel from Sonamarg to Kargil between 10 am and 3 pm under carefully monitored conditions.
They said the highway was shut on Friday after a snowfall rendered the route hazardous, leaving hundreds of goods and passenger vehicles stranded on the Srinagar-Sonamarg stretch. However, the Border Road Organization swiftly initiated snow clearance operations, completing the arduous task of clearing the Drass and Sonamarg sections by Sunday evening as the weather improved.
SSP Traffic Rural Kashmir RP Singh told Kashmir Reader that the decision to reopen the highway was taken after receiving clearance from the Beacon Unit overseeing road safety. “Following a thorough assessment, 100 passenger vehicles were sent from Sonamarg to Kargil today,” he said.
To ensure safe travel, drivers were instructed to equip their vehicles with anti-skid chains, especially in the treacherous sections of Zojila Pass and Shatani Nallah, where snow and ice had created slippery conditions. Vehicles not fitted with these chains were prohibited from proceeding.
SSP Singh emphasized that the safety of passengers and drivers is the top priority. “These precautions are essential to prevent accidents,” he added. If weather conditions remain stable, authorities plan to allow one-way traffic from Kargil to Srinagar on Tuesday.
The Srinagar-Ladakh Highway is a crucial lifeline for the people of Ladakh, connecting them to the rest of India. The highway’s reopening will bring relief to stranded passengers and facilitate the transportation of essential goods and supplies.