Srinagar, Mar 13: Jammu and Kashmir is likely to open early this year.
A Beacon official told Greater Kashmir that snow clearance work on the highway is going on.
The highway was closed in December last year following heavy snowfall.
He said that snow clearance operation on the Srinagar-Leh road is going on in full swing, however, we are facing a tough situation at few places due to avalanches along the road,” the official said.
He said snow clearance will end by the end of March if weather permits. “We will take a decision on opening the road aftert assessing the situation, “he said.
He said snow clearance on Zojila Pass is very difficult . “However, this year, the Pass received less snow making snow clearance operation easy,” he said.
Reports said that nearly 8-10 ft of snow has accumulated along Zojila pass while as 3-4 ft of snow along Sonamarg-Baltal road comparative less.
Director works Beacon, Col Hooda while talking to Greater Kashmir said: “We haven’t set any timeline for the road opening however we expect Srinagar-Leh road to be thrown a little early this year and only by mid April” he added.
He said that the toughest work for snow clearance remains on the 30-km road stretch up to zero point of Zojilla from Sonamarg.
The highway was reopened last year on May 13.
Project Beacon of the Border Road Organization is responsible for clearing the road up to zero point near Zojilla from Sonamarg, while the Vijayak of the BRO clears the road from the Kargil side