Srinagar-Leh highway to reopen tomorrow after six winter months

Srinagar, May 13 (UNI) The 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway will reopen tomorrow for traffic after remaining closed for six winter months due to snowfall.

Defence ministry spokesman Colonel V K Batra said the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for the maintainance of the highway, have cleared the accumulated snow after pressing into service sophisicated snow clearance machines.

He said Zojila pass, the highest point on the highway, will be opened to traffic tomorrow in the presence of mediamen.

Col Batra said the first convoy will leave Sonmarg for Leh tomorrow in the afternoon.

He said the BRO personnel had to clear ten to 20 feet of snow accumulated on the highway. It was a very tough task which was completed by the personnel much ahead of scheduled date.

There were some anxious moments when there was late snowfall in the month of March and early April in the Zojila area which could have delayed the reopening of the highway, he said and added the BRO personnel worked round-the-clock to make it traffic worthy before schedule.

The highway remained closed for six winter months due to 10 feet to 25 feet of snowfall at different places between Sonmarg to Drass.

It was closed in November last year.

The centre has already sanctioned a tunnel at Zojila to make the highway all-weather road. However, Drass-Kargil-Leh road remained open during winter despite snowfall.

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