Kargil, Jan 25, KNT: Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Kargil, Rakesh Kumar, IAS, on Sunday visited Zojila Pass to assess the status of the Kargil-Srinagar National Highway following recent snowfall in the region.
The inspection was carried out to evaluate the feasibility of reopening the vital road link for vehicular movement at the earliest. The Deputy Commissioner inspected the highway stretch from Drass to Zero Point, accompanied by Senior Superintendent of Police Kargil Nitin Yadav and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Drass Vishal Atri.
During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner reviewed the progress of snow clearance operations and said that the district administration has already deployed the required manpower and machinery to ensure that the highway is restored before the next expected spell of snowfall. He directed the concerned departments to further expedite the clearance work and maintain close coordination to avoid delays.
The SSP Kargil, during the inspection, instructed Ladakh Police officials deployed along the Zojila axis to ensure smooth regulation of traffic once the road is reopened. He stressed the importance of timely circulation of traffic advisories, proper traffic management, and adequate security and assistance for vehicles moving on the snow-prone stretch.
📢 8,000+ readers already joined for instant Kashmir News Trust updates
Officials said that Zojila Pass has remained open for an unusually extended period during the current winter season. Despite multiple spells of snowfall in the region, the administration has managed to keep the strategically significant mountain pass functional even through January, which is considered a peak winter month.
Zojila Pass serves as the only surface link between Ladakh and the Kashmir Valley during the non-winter months and is critical for the movement of essential supplies, fuel, and passenger traffic. Traditionally, the pass remains closed for nearly five to six months every winter due to heavy snow accumulation, disrupting connectivity between Kargil and Srinagar.
The continued efforts to keep the pass operational this winter are being viewed as a significant step towards ensuring uninterrupted regional connectivity and strengthening supply lines to the remote areas of Ladakh.
[KNT]
