SRINAGAR : The National Highway, linking the Ladakh region with the Kashmir Valley remained closed and is likely to reopen next week, a traffic police official said this afternoon.
It will take three to four days more to allow traffic on the highway, he said.
He said the snow clearance operation started in the month of March but there was fresh snowfall last month.
Major parts of the 62-km-long track between Sonmarg-Zojilla-Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, received more than ten feet of snow during this winter. There was fresh snowfall at Zojila, Meenmarg and Zero-Point last week, officials said.
The snow clearance operation has been completed from Drass to Zero-point Gumri, he said, adding it will take few more days. Reopening of the highway will be a great relief for the people of Ladakh region who are facing shortage of essentials, particularly fresh vegetables, residents said.
They said large number of tourists are arriving Leh by air daily. However, due to shortage of fresh vegetables the hosts are feeling handicapped, he said.
The officer said decision to resume traffic on the highway will depend on the completion of snow clearance operation from Sonmarg side.
The highway between Sonmarg-Zojila-Drass was closed due to heavy snowfall and slippery road condition. However, Drass-Kargil to Leh highway was through though with some disruption in between due to snowfall. (UNI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel