Srinagar-Leh highway linking Ladakh and Kashmir valley re-opens after fresh snowfall

After remaining closed for more than 48 hours due to heavy snowfall, the 434 km long Srinagar-Leh national highway was opened on Friday, December 8, as per news reports. Even the famous 86 km long Mughal Road was opened for vehicular movement.

Since Wednesday, barring light motor vehicles, heavy traffic was stopped from plying on the highway due to slippery roads and heavy snow cover in Zojila, Meenamarg and Srinagar-Leh Road.
Yesterday, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) deployed men and machines to remove the snow. Consequently, the highway was cleared for about 30 minutes or so by afternoon. However, soon, the slippery roads again ruined road condition, leading to stalling of traffic movement.

According to press reports, today, traffic will move from Srinagar to Leh. However, traffic will not be allowed to pass from opposite direction. Meanwhile, according to the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Sonamarg-Gumri road shall remain closed for vehicular traffic in view of the snowfall in higher reaches and slippery road condition on either side of Zojila Pass on Srinagar-Leh highway.


On the other hand, the divisional administration revealed that the Srinagar-Sonmarg-Gumri road will stay closed for motor vehicles from December 10 to 15, following a weather warning shared by the Meteorological Department. The department is expecting moderate to heavy snowfall in the steeper regions and slippery road condition on one of the two sides of Zojila Pass located on Srinagar-Leh highway.

After the ban on traffic movement was lifted on Friday, a lot of heavy vehicles, some of which were carrying essential supplies, made way for Jammu from Kashmir. However, no heavy traffic, even that of security forces, will be allowed to pass from opposite side just to avoid accident or traffic jam on the highway.