SRINAGAR : The 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway, linking the Ladakh region with Kashmir valley, has been closed following fresh snowfall, a traffic police official said here today.
He told that the highway was closed as there was fresh snowfall at Sonmarg, Zojila and Zero point. The road has become very slippery, he said adding to avoid any accident it was decided to suspend traffic movement.
However, all vehicles, stranded on both sides of the Zojila pass have been cleared. Vehicles got stranded after two vehicles developed some problem at Zojila on November 11 afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has again pressed into service sophisticated machines and men to clear the snow and put through the highway again.
In the past the highway was being closed for six winter months from November Ist every year. But for the last few years the highway remained open till weather permits.
A BRO official said there was early snowfall on the highway this year, disrupting traffic. The road becomes slippery during the morning and evening hours when the temperature goes below freezing point, he said adding drivers have been advised to undertake the journey only when there is no slippery road conditions to avoid any accident.
Meanwhile, the authorities have stocked all essentials for winter months at different places in the region which remained cut off with Kashmir due to closure of the road. (UNI)
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