Zojila, May 20
The 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh National Highway reopened today after remaining closed for six winter months due to 30 to 40 feet of snow.
However, general traffic on the highway, the lifeline for the regions of Kargil and Leh, will be allowed only after a successful trial run, said an official of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for the maintenance of the road.
An Army convoy from here to Leh was allowed to pass through as part of a trial run today, he said, adding that a number of areas on the highway were avalanche-prone.
The reopening of the highway this year was delayed due to unprecedented snowfall in February, he noted.
About the resumption of two-way traffic on the highway, he said it had to be decided by the civil administration.
However, he said that Project Beacon, in coordination with Project Himank, had deployed the snow clearance equipment along the highway and the men worked relentlessly to make the road fit for vehicular traffic.
— UNI
