Srinagar, Jan 9: Traffic on the important Srinagar-Kargil Highway, which links the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh, will be halted due to icy road conditions caused by bad weather, as well as for maintenance work starting January 11, officials have announced.
Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the 6.4-kilometer-long Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonamarg Highway on January 13.
The Z-Morh tunnel, together with the under-construction 13-kilometer-long Zojila tunnel, plays a vital role in a strategic project aimed at ensuring year-round connectivity between the Kashmir and Ladakh regions, which are often cut off during winter months due to significant snowfall.
Altaf Ahmad Shah, Senior Superintendent of Police Traffic for the UT of Ladakh, has issued a public notice informing residents, especially travelers, drivers, and tourists, that traffic on the Kargil-Srinagar highway (Zojila pass) will be suspended due to icy and unfavorable road conditions.
The notification specified that “maintenance work on the road will be undertaken by relevant agencies from January 11 to January 14, 2025.”
“Traffic is expected to resume on the highway on January 14, subject to weather conditions,” the notice further indicated.
“In light of the current weather conditions and planned road maintenance, commuters/passengers are advised to postpone their travels until a ‘Green’ signal is given by the responsible road maintenance agencies to prevent any inconvenience or incidents during their journeys,” the notice added.
“Travelers are encouraged to verify the status of the road through the traffic police control room and the traffic control units in Kargil and Leh before commencing their journey,” the notice concluded.
It is noteworthy that the Zojila pass on the Srinagar-Ladakh highway experienced snowfall, with temperatures dropping to a minimum of -31.0°C on Thursday.
