ET Plus Report
Srinagar, Mar 6 : Snow clearance operation on the National Highway connecting the Ladakh region with the rest of the state has commenced from Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia. However, snow clearance operation from Sonamarg, on this side of the Zojila pass, on 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh highway was yet to commence. The highway remained closed since December last year due to slippery road conditions and heavy snowfall between Sonamarg-Zojila and Meenmarg.
The road is scheduled to reopen next month. The highway normally reopens in May every year. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for the maintenance of the highway, pressed into service four dozers and as many snow cutters from Drass. The operation was jointly inaugurated by BRO commander Vijayak, Colonel Haresh Kumar and Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Drass Syed Aga Jamal yesterday. Commander Vijayak and Col Kumar said if everything goes normally and there is no major snowfall or avalanches, the road will be put through next month. |
