Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Mar 30: Border Roads Organization (BRO) today said that they will re-open Srinagar-Leh National Highway for traffic in the second week of April after it will clear the snow from Zojila.
Chief Engineer project Beacon of BRO, Brigadier A K Das, said that Srinagar-Leh highway will be opened for traffic in the second week of April. Earlier, they were planning to re-open it for traffic in the second week of March.
Brigadier Das said that there are more than 20 active avalanche sites on the Baltal to Zojila track measuring 40 feet height. He said that they are giving a tough time to the Border Roads Organization men to clear the road.
“All safety measures are being taken by the jawans to deal with the situation keeping in view the rise in the day temperature which increases the chances of the avalanches”, said Chief Engineer BRO.
Brigadier Das said that BRO lost two of its labourers in the snow clearance operation on Kupwara –Tanghdar road last week.
Chief Engineer BRO said that they will have a good vigil of these avalanche sites once the road is through to enable to facilitate the smooth movement of the traffic on the Zojila road and for the safety of the commuters.
Brigadier Das said there was less snow accumulation till February this year and the snow clearance was started too early and was completed by first week of March .
The BRO Chief Engineer said that Zojila stretch witnessed a moderate to heavy snowfall in March for which all resources had to be geared to make a fresh snow clearance.
“The jawans are 10 kilometers behind zero point and it will take three to four days to clear the stretch “, the Chief Engineer said.
Brigadier Das said that Razdan pass connecting Gurez with Kashmir valley will also be opened for traffic by second week of April.
The Chief Engineer said that the snow accumulation on Razdan pass is 30 feet which needs a bit more time to make it motorable.
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