Srinagar: The 434-km strategic Srinagar-Leh highway, connecting Ladakh region with Kashmir, has been officially closed from Friday for winter months to avoid any accident following slippery road conditions due to the freezing temperature.
“We have closed the highway from today as per orders by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir,” police sources said Thursday.
They said the road has become very slippery particularly at Zojila, Meenmarg, Zero-Point, India Gate and other places, where mercury remains below minus during the night and sub zero during the day. The mercury would witness further drop during the coming winter days.
The Srinagar-Leh highway has been closed for winter months, DSP Traffic Rural Ganderbal, Faheem Ali told news agency KNT.
Divisional Commissioner P.K. Pole also confirmed closure of the strategic highway for winters following slippery road conditions.
”We have withdrawn all our personnel deployed on the highway between Sonamarg and Drass, on the other side of the Zojila pass to regulate traffic,” he said.
Pertinently, Beacon on the intervening night of December 31, rescued 300 passengers and 106 vehicles, stuck at Zojila Pass due to the slippery road conditions.
The official said that traffic police and local administration on both sides of the Zojila had made all efforts to clear vehicles to their respective destinations before its closure. The strategic highway remains closed from about four to five months every year.
Meanwhile, the metrological department has predicted moderate to heavy snowfall from Monday.
Authorities across the Kashmir valley have geared up all resources to meet any challenge following the prediction of moderate to heavy rain and snow in Kashmir.
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