Traffic beyond Darcha to be allowed only for today
It was decided at a virtual meeting held between the administrations of Lahaul and Spiti, Leh and Kargil (UT Ladakh) yesterday to limit tourist movement in the region due to adverse weather conditions and increasing risks associated with snowfall and freezing temperatures. The meeting, attended by the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and the SPs of the three districts, aimed at ensuring the safety of travellers in the region during the ongoing winter season.
Lahaul-Spiti SP Mayank Chaudhary said that based on the weather forecast, tourists would be allowed to travel beyond Darcha to Zingzingbar on the Manali-Leh highway only until tomorrow. Visitors intending to travel towards Leh-Ladakh could proceed from Jispa between 9 am and 1 pm, with the journey restricted to Zingzingbar. No tourist would be permitted to go beyond Zingzingbar and the police would be stationed at the location to enforce this rule.
The decision comes as part of ongoing safety measures due to the hazardous conditions caused by snowfall and freezing temperatures in the region. After December 6, all road traffic beyond Jispa will be completely halted. No vehicles will be allowed to proceed further from Jispa, and vehicles from Leh-Ladakh will not be permitted to enter the region. The road conditions are reported to be dangerous, with snow buildup on the roads making them slippery and prone to accidents.
"According to officials from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), snow sheets have already formed from the Zingzingbar to the Baralacha Pass, rendering roads extremely hazardous for vehicles. The presence of black ice on these roads further increases the danger, as vehicles are at risk of slipping. Furthermore, there is no communication network in this area, making it difficult to respond in case of emergencies" the SP said.
"The decision was made to close the road beyond Koksar, specifically the route leading to Gramphu and Kaza, to prevent further accidents. With ice forming on roads, driving has become very risky, prompting the authorities to act in the interest of public safety," he added.
The SP urged all tourists to adhere to the advisories issued by the district administration, emphasising that these precautions were essential to ensure the safety of travellers during the winter season.
