Snow clearance operation completes on Sgr – Leh highway
Drass, April 15: Authorities on Monday cleared the Srinagar-Leh road of the heavy snow that had accumulated on the highway during the winter months. M
“The BRO’s Project Vijayak is making all out efforts to clear the snow from Drass side to Zojilla Pass, which recorded heavy snow accumulation during winter. However, the road has been connected on either side after two month long snow clearance operation by the Border Roads,” a statement issued here said.
As the snow clearance teams of Project Vijayak approachedto Zojilla every inch of snow clearance proved challenging for the BRO personnel due to unprecedented snow accumulation, the statement added.
Commander 762 BRTF of Project Vijayak Col Rajeev Lohani said that men and machinery are involved to clear snow of Zojila Pass and the operation goes without break.
Sonamarg -Leh road remains closed from December to mid-April due to heavy snow accumulation on the highway. This winter extremely heavy snowfall occurred during winter and heavy snow has accumulated at Zojilla Pass.
“Complete stretch is under heavy avalanche zone and the snow clearance team is facing an extreme challenge on daily basis. 55 RCC of 762 BRTF of Project Vijayak are undertaking the challenge. The team has reached zero point which is a heavy avalanche prone zone,” commander 762 BRTF said. He said that the snow clearance may take some more days for widening activities before the Highway is officially thrown open for public.
Officials said that at-least 50 feet snow is accumulated on the hills along the road and once the track is cleared off snow and made motorable, the stretch will become a tourist attraction after Sonmarg for its snow sites and glacial hilltops.
KV Network
