Srinagar-Leh highway to open around Apr 20

By
Daily Excelsior
-

Excelsior Correspondent
KARGIL, Apr 13:  The 434 km long strategically important, Srinagar- Leh National Highway will be opened for one way traffic around April  20 subject to weather conditions.
This was stated by the Chief Executive Councilor LAHDC Kargil Haji Mohammad Hanifa Jan at Shaitan Nallah Zojila during inspection of snow clearance work on NH 1D. Haji Hanifa while interacting with media told that it was a blessing that Kargil observed snowfall in March, as after a long dry winter  the need for a spell of heavy snowfall was the need of the hour for a healthy agriculture season but it was unfortunate as due to the heavy snowfall the already almost opened Kargil- Srinagar road was closed once again.
He appreciated the local labours who work at Zojila snow clearance keeping their lives in danger and assured that he will recommend the group of local labours for National award. On the question of increasing the remuneration of the local labours from mere Rs 9,000 to 25,000, which is fair enough keeping in view the risk they take, Haji Hanifa assured that he will take up the issue with the concerned soon.
Commanding Officer of  Project Vijayak Col Pankaj Mital told that they have to clear the road four times due to snowfall. The CEC also lauded the BRO staff for taking up this tough task to connect area which is facing shortage of essential commodities.
Pointing towards the more than 80 feet high snow avalanches which was being cleared, Col Mittal appreciated the works and efforts of the local labours and BRO men  who are working 12 hours a day just for the sake of opening the strategically important highway.
Haji Hanifa was accompanied by Executive Councilor Mohsin Ali, Councilor Sheikh Raza, ACR Kargil Kacho Tourab Shah and Major Sumit Shinda of Project Vijayak, DySP Headquarter Mohd Khaliq, SDM Drass Barkat Ali, SHO Drass and other officers.
Later, CEC addressed a public meeting during which people of Drass demanded early redressal of NFSA issue, release of kerosene oil, power supply from Chutuk, commissioning of Marpo Choo Power Plant and filling up of the vacant posts of teachers and lecturers in Drass Higher Secondary School.

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