Snowfall severs Gurez's only surface connectivity, Helicopter services remain in limbo

Bandipora, Jan 02: The fresh bouts of snowfall have severed road surface connectivity to the Gurez valley, following the closure of the Bandipora-Gurez road.

The administration shut the road on Wednesday as a precautionary measure in anticipation of snowfall.

On Thursday, the valley woke to a fresh blanket of snow, which continued to fall when this report was being filed.

Although Beacon, which maintains the road, has been making strides to open the road soon after the snowfall, surging across the dangerous Razdan Top, as witnessed recently, the locals and local administration believe the fresh spell might close the road "permanently" for winter.

Soon after the snowfall in Gurez, internal roads are being cleared, SDM Gurez Mukhtar Ahmad told Greater Kashmir.

However, "continuous snowfall" was hindering clearance operations, adding, "Once the snow stops, clearance operations will be conducted fully," he said.

Meanwhile, locals are appealing to the concerned authorities to open the Gurez road immediately, given the absence of helicopter services. Although both the administration and locals remain skeptical about the road opening anytime soon.

"The road should be opened soon and helicopter services should be made available," Abdul Raheem Lone, a local, said.

The locals stated that the tenders for availing heli-services have received a "lukewarm response" due to "pending bills."

They made fervent appeals to the Divisional Commissioner to resolve the matter soon to avoid "exigencies," as road opening may be "delayed for a long time."

SDM also told Greater Kashmir that there was no "clarity" on when the service would be resumed. They hope something might happen after 10 January.

The officials' timeline for restoring the Gurez road also remains "uncertain."

"The road could close permanently for winter as the weather remains unpredictable," he said, adding that if there is more snowfall, restoration will also be delayed.

Meanwhile, youth in the valley have taken out to play cricket on icy surfaces, an eye catching moment for those who love the game.