Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Mar 17: The Divisional Commissioner, Ladakh, Saugat Biswas today reviewed the opening of Zojila pass, security and medical arrangements with other senior officers in the context of Covid-19.
Considering aspects such as weather forecast, safety of travel on the snow-bound pass and keeping in consideration spread of COVID-19 it was decided not to allow passenger movement on the Zojila road at-least till the end of March. Opening of the road for passenger movement will be reviewed towards the end of the month said the Divisional Commissioner.
Inspector General of Police UT Ladakh, Satish Khandare, District Magistrate of Leh, Sachin Kumar; District Magistrate Kargil, Baseer-ul-Haq; District Magistrate, Ganderbal, Shafqat Iqbal; Station Commander, 14 Corps, Brig. G.C Arun; SSP Kargil, Vinod Kumar; Chief Engineer, Vijayak, Brig. Sohal; Station Commander, 8 Mountain Div; Chief Medical Officer, Leh, Dr Motup Dorjey, ASP, Ganderbal and other officers attended the meeting.
Detailed discussion took place regarding preparations to make the road worthy of heavy passenger traffic, and also the arrangements put in place by the district administrations of Kargil and Ganderbal for regulating traffic in the light of COVID-19.
Issues such as shipment of essential commodities, medical screeningof commuters travelling on the road including laborers of BRO and other engineering agencies who will come from other parts of the country were reviewed.
Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Shafqat Iqbal laid out the current situation at Sonamarg regarding possibility of movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities and passengers in the coming weeks. Baseer-ul-Haque, DC Kargil presented a detailed picture of the arrangements already planned for medical screening of the commuters. Brig. Sohal Chief Engineer, Vijayak and Station Commander, 8 Mountain Div, Kargil detailed about the further road tests those are underway and the probable time required to make heavy civilian traffic possible. The Station Commander, 14 Corps detailed about the arrangements being put in place by the various army agencies for screening of labourers and other vehicles bringing army supplies.
IGP UT Ladakh, Satish Khandare enquired and suggested the steps that can be taken for more efficient movement of essential commodities and passengers once the road is opened.
Divisional Commissioner, Biswas asked Deputy Commissioner, Kargil to fine tune the medical response plan, in coordination with the BRO and Army for ensuring fool proof screening and quarantine at the entry points in Kargil. He also instructed for the issuance of medical fitness cards to labourers after screening. Divisional Commissioner assured that the administration will take every step to make the road opening prompt and safe for commuters.
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