Srinagar-Leh highway to be opened from today

The meeting decided that the Traffic Department, to avoid inconvenience and traffic jams on the national highway, will forecast weather on time so that information about the road condition could be disseminated to the public well in advance. Besides, the Border Roads Organisation will keep the traffic control room informed about the opening and closure of the Srinagar-Leh road on daily basis.

It was disclosed that nearly 375 vehicles including 120 belonging to the army and Border Roads Organisation, 155 civil, 70 oil tankers, besides 30 light vehicles and passenger buses will cross over to Ladakh during this year. However, priority will be given to the State Road Transport Corporation buses and trucks for movement across the Zojila, the spokesman said and added that the Army will allow these vehicles to move with its convoy from Sonamarg to Drass.

The SRTC will station two recovery vans, one each at Gumari and Captain Mode, besides providing workshop facilities with sufficient spare parts available. The Army will provide tented accommodation for the corporation people at these place, the meeting decided.

The spokesman said that it was also decided at the meeting that the Health Department will set up a well equipped medical unit with a doctor and an ambulance at Gumari.

While passenger vehicles and light motor vehicles will be given precedence in movement particularly from Sonamarg side, the meeting decided that Weigh bridges will be utilised to ensure that no vehicle carrying load beyond the permitted limit plies on the road. The Food Corporation of India will also ensure quick unloading of trucks in Leh and Kargil districts to ensure reduction of the turn around time.

The meeting among others was attended by the Principal Secretaries of the PDD and Planning and Development Department (Ladakh Affairs), Commissioner-Secretaries of Information and Transport, Forests, Tourism, Food and Supplies, besides Transport Commissioner and Chief Engineer (Civil).