Srinagar-Leh NH remains closed for 4th day

Ganderbal, Apr 17:  The Srinagar-Leh National Highway remained closed for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday due to multiple avalanches on the highway.

The highway had been closed for the movement traffic due to fresh snowfall in the higher reaches including Zojila Pass on Sunday.

After the recent snowfall, approximately 3 to 4 inches of snow accumulated at Zojila Pass on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, prompting a precautionary halt for traffic movement.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) deployed its machinery for snow clearance.

An official from the BRO’s Project Beacon said that the machines were actively working to clear the snow off the road.

However, he said that multiple avalanches occurred at different spots along the road which extended the snow clearance work, resulting in the closure of the highway for the fourth consecutive day.

Hundreds of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) including passenger vehicles have been stranded on both sides of the highway since Sunday.

An official said that the road would reopen for one-way traffic on Wednesday after getting a green signal from the BRO.

A BRO official said that the road clearance work was underway.

He said that it was likely that the road would get connected by Wednesday afternoon.

“The decision to allow traffic movement will be taken after that,” he said.