Ladakh highway remains closed for 3rd day due to snow accumulation

Srinagar, Dec 12: The Ladakh region remained cut off from the Kashmir valley for the third day on Wednesday due to the closure of the 434-km-long National Highway due to the accumulation of snow and slippery road conditions, a traffic police official said.


A large number of vehicles, including trucks and oil tankers, are stranded on both sides of the Zojila pass.


''We could not resume traffic as the road has become very slippery due to the accumulation of snow, particularly between Sonmarg in central Kashmir district of Ganderbal and Zojila and Meenmarg,'' the official told TNN.


Besides accumulation of snow, there was also a threat of avalanches, he said, adding that the traffic department has already withdrawn all personnel who were posted at different places to regulate traffic on the highway during summer.



However, local police and Beacon project officials were regulating traffic on the highway, he said, adding that there is very less chance of reopening of the road before next summer.


Only one-way traffic was plying on the highway for the past several weeks after first heavy snowfall.


The highway was declared closed by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, last month when there was heavy snowfall. However, after protests by stranded passengers and residents of Kargil and Drass, one-way traffic was again allowed on the highway.


A large number of Kashmir-bound vehicles, including empty trucks and oil tankers besides carrying passengers, are stranded at Drass, Kargil and Meenmarg. Similarly, Ladakh-bound trucks, carrying essentials and oil tankers, have been stopped at Sonamarg in the central Kashmir district of Ganderbal.


The Beacon authorities will start snow clearance operation only when the snowfall stops and there is no threat of avalanches, official sources said, adding that the highway will be declared closed for winter if there is no improvement in the weather and road condition.


The Ladakh region remained cut off during six winter months due to heavy snowfall and avalanches.