The 434-km- strategic Srinagar-Leh highway, connecting Ladakh region with Kashmir likely to be closed from today for winter months to avoid any accident following slippery road conditions due to blow freezing temperature.
Talking to reporters at Zero Point Zojila Pass Cheif Engineer Beacon Brigadier Saket Singh said that the Zojila Pass is located at an elevation of 11649 feet and serves as the lifeline between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.
He said last year Zojila Pass was kept open till 03 Jan, this year once again due to the concerted efforts of Project Beacon, the Zojila Pass was kept open, for the first time ever, till 6th January.
He said the extended opening of Zojila pass was carried out by BRO for the first time in 2020 keeping in view the situation on the Northern borders and since then it has been continued in 2021 and 2022.
He added that the weather is likely to change from today and heavy snowfall is predicted for the next few days, so the Srinagar Ladakh highway will be closed for vehicular movement.
They said the road has become very slippery particularly at Zojila, Meenmarg, Zero-Point, India Gate and other places, where the mercury remained below minus during the night and sub zero during the day.The mercury would witness further drop during the coming winter days.
BRO has also completed successful trials of route guidance & navigation system technology for snow clearance eqpt to enhance efficiency and safety while performing snow clearance operations.
Project Beacon has ensured connectivity to strategic requirements of Indian Army and survival requirements of the local population of UT of Ladakh, he further stated.
Meanwhile Authorities across the Kashmir valley have geared up all resources to meet any challenge following prediction of moderate to heavy rain and snow in the UT
The officials said that traffic police and local administration on both sides of the Zojila had made all efforts to clear vehicles to their respective destinations before closing it officially from today. The highway remains closed between Sonamarg to Meenmarg Drass because of ten to 15 feet of snowfall during winter.
Meanwhile The highway, remains closed from about four to five months every year.
