Kargil, Jan 24: As fresh snowfall grips the upper reaches of Ladakh, the district administration has stepped up efforts to restore traffic on the Srinagar–Kargil National Highway, with senior officials on the ground reviewing snow clearance work at Zojila Pass.
Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, Rakesh Kumar, IAS, on Friday visited Zojila Pass to take stock of the situation following recent snowfall. The inspection was focused on assessing road conditions and reviewing preparations for the early reopening of the highway, which serves as the primary surface link between Kargil and the Kashmir Valley.
The Deputy Commissioner inspected the stretch from Drass to Zero Point, accompanied by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kargil Nitin Yadav and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Drass Vishal Atri. Officials from concerned line departments were also present during the visit.
Interacting with officers at the site, the Deputy Commissioner said that adequate manpower and heavy machinery have already been deployed to clear snow and restore vehicular movement at the earliest. He reviewed the pace of ongoing snow clearance operations and directed departments to intensify efforts, keeping in view the forecast of another spell of snowfall in the coming days.
“The administration is working with full preparedness to reopen the highway before fresh snowfall hampers the process,” officials quoted the Deputy Commissioner as saying. He stressed close coordination among civil administration, police, and road maintenance agencies to avoid delays.
SSP Kargil Nitin Yadav, during the inspection, instructed Ladakh Police personnel to ensure orderly movement of vehicles once traffic resumes on the Zojila axis. He emphasised the timely dissemination of traffic advisories, proper regulation of traffic flow, and deployment of police teams to assist stranded commuters, drivers, and transporters on the high-altitude stretch.
Officials pointed out that Zojila Pass has remained operational for an unusually long duration this winter. Despite repeated snowfall episodes, coordinated efforts by the administration and road agencies have ensured that the pass did not witness a prolonged closure even in January.
Zojila Pass, located at an altitude of over 11,500 feet, usually remains closed for nearly five to six months during winter due to heavy snow accumulation and extreme weather conditions. The extended opening this season has provided relief to residents, traders, and transporters by maintaining supply lines and passenger movement between Kargil and Srinagar.
The district administration has reiterated its commitment to keeping the highway functional for as long as weather conditions permit, while also prioritising safety and preparedness in one of the region’s most challenging mountain corridors.
