BRO working to open Gurez-Bandipora road

Bandipora, Mar 15: To open the Gurez-Bandipora road that had been hit by massive and multiple avalanches, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has resumed its snow clearance operation, officials said Friday.

Tthe workers associated with BRO said that the snow clearance works were launched from Dawar and on Friday, men and machinery had reached Kanzalwan.

The inclement weather on March 13 and 14 had affected the operation.

“We are trying our best to clear the stretch by evening,” an official said.

He said that the region was hit by several avalanches which prolonged the clearance operation.

Those associated with the clearance work said that the task was “more challenging” as there were more areas that were hit by snow slides this season.

“These include Dahi Nallah, Koragbal, Zadkhushi, and others,” they said. “Even though it may take time, we are hopeful that the road will open soon so that our people in Gurez can relish fresh eatables in the month of Ramadan.”

The officials said that the BRO was working tirelessly to open the road so that people in Gurez do not face any issues with food and daily items.

“This time we are seeking help from the Army too as the machinery was stuck at certain areas during previous snow clearance operations,” they said.

The officials said that the machinery was involved in cutting works 1 km ahead of Kanzalwan, the area which was hit by multiple and massive snow slides.

Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Gurez, Mukhtar Ahmad told Greater Kashmir that the snow clearance work on the Gurez-Bandipora road was ongoing and the BRO had sought at least eight to 10 more days to open the road.

He said to speed up the process, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) had shot a letter to the BRO requesting to expedite the snow clearance works.