Kargil, Mar 14: Snow clearance operations began on Friday at Zoji La Pass after improved weather conditions allowed road maintenance teams to start removing accumulated snow that has blocked the Srinagar–Leh National Highway for the past two days.
The highway, the only road corridor linking Ladakh with the rest of the country, was shut to vehicular movement following continuous snowfall across the high mountain pass earlier this week. The snow accumulation, coupled with poor visibility and avalanche risks in several stretches, brought traffic to a halt from both the Kashmir and Ladakh sides.
Officials said teams of the Border Roads Organisation deployed under Project Vijayak have mobilised men and heavy machinery along the Zoji La axis to restore connectivity at the earliest.
According to officials, the clearance work began after weather conditions stabilised on Thursday, allowing road maintenance teams to move equipment to the affected stretches. The operation will continue until the highway is declared safe for traffic.
The strategic route, located at an altitude of over 11,500 feet, serves as a lifeline for Ladakh, facilitating the movement of essential supplies, tourism traffic and military logistics across the high-altitude region.
Officials said sections of the highway witnessed fresh snow accumulation of up to nearly one and a half feet, increasing the risk of avalanches and forcing authorities to suspend traffic as a precaution.
Snowfall was also reported in parts of Drass, where road clearance efforts were carried out to ensure local connectivity and commuter safety.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department has forecast another spell of snowfall at scattered locations across Ladakh on March 15 and 16, with higher chances in the Kargil and Zanskar regions.
Authorities have urged commuters to exercise caution while travelling along the highway and to follow advisories issued by the administration as well as road maintenance agencies.
Officials said further updates regarding the reopening of the highway will be issued once road conditions improve and snow clearance operations make further progress.
Meanwhile, authorities in Ladakh and J&K have issued a detailed traffic advisory for tomorrow (March 14), announcing the closure of several high-altitude routes across the Kargil region following fresh snowfall and deteriorating road conditions.
According to the traffic management plan released by the District Police Kargil, vehicular movement will remain suspended on multiple strategic routes as snow accumulation continues to affect mountain passes and stretches prone to avalanches.
Traffic on the Srinagar–Sonamarg–Gumri (SSG) Road, which links Kashmir with Ladakh through Zoji La Pass, will remain suspended on Saturday due to heavy snow accumulation along the Zoji La axis. Officials said the decision was taken to prevent risks to motorists as the route remains vulnerable to avalanches and slippery conditions during periods of active snowfall.
Earlier advisories had indicated that Light Motor Vehicles could be permitted to move from Srinagar towards Kargil depending on weather and road conditions. However, fresh snowfall along the pass has prompted authorities to halt traffic movement for the day.
The traffic plan further states that the Kargil–Zanskar road via Penzila Pass will remain closed owing to snow accumulation, temporarily cutting off surface connectivity between Kargil and the Zanskar region.
Similarly, the Padum–Darcha road through Shinkula Pass will remain closed as heavy snow has rendered the route unsafe for vehicular movement.
Meanwhile, the Kargil–Leh highway continues to remain open and currently serves as the only major operational road corridor for vehicular movement within Ladakh.
Authorities have also clarified that the Nimoo–Padum–Darcha road will remain open only on Sundays and Wednesdays. Vehicles travelling along this route must carry anti-skid chains, which have been made mandatory to improve traction on icy road surfaces.
Traffic officials have advised commuters to plan their journeys carefully and adhere to directions issued by traffic control authorities and road maintenance agencies. Travellers have also been urged to verify the latest road status before starting their journey as weather conditions in high-altitude areas can change rapidly.
For assistance and updates, emergency contact numbers including ERSS-112, PCR Kargil and Traffic Control Rooms in Kashmir remain operational. Police stations located along the affected routes, including those in Sonamarg, Drass, Zanskar and Panikhar, will also provide support to travellers.
Officials said road conditions will be continuously monitored and further advisories will be issued depending on snowfall patterns, avalanche risks and progress in snow clearance operations across the mountain passes.
