Srinagar-Leh highway to remain open till Nov 15

Kargil, Nov 6: The 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway will now close for six winter months from November 15, officials said.

They said the decision was taken following dry weather after snowfall on the upper reaches in the middle of October when it was decided to stop all traffic from October 31 on the highway.

The highway remained closed for six winter months because of ten feet to 30 feet of snowfall at different points, particularly from Sonamarg to Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia.

The Chief Executive Councilor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, Asgar Karbalaiyee told UNI storing of essential commodities in the entire Kargil district, including far flung areas, has been completed.

He said, it was decided to keep the highway open as there was no snowfall and the road was still safe for undertaking the journey.

He said about six thousand quintals of ''atta'' and 13000 lac litres of Kerosene oil, cooking gas and other essential commodities have been stored at different places which are enough for winter.

However, Mr Karbalayee admitted that stocking of medicine in hospitals and other health centres was in progess.

We have completed 60 per cent stocking of medicine and remaining 40 per cent will be completed before November 15, he said, adding for any emergency medicines will be airlifted.

UNI