Srinagar, December 13: With temperatures plunging and frosty conditions affecting the road connecting Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir through Zojila Pass, Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, convened a meeting with key officers and agencies to discuss the management of traffic and the opening and closure of the Pass.
Addressing the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner emphasised the importance of close coordination between the District Administration of Kargil, District Administration Ganderbal, SSP Rural Kashmir, officers from BRO (Border Roads Organisation), and BEACON (Border Roads Engineering Construction). He stressed that decisions regarding the closure of the Zojila Pass should be based on weather conditions, the status of the road, and in consultation with BRO and VIJAYK.
Div Com Bidhuri further proposed the establishment of a joint control room involving the District Administration of Ganderbal, Police, SDRF (State Disaster Response Force), and CRPF to monitor and regulate traffic efficiently.
In the event of snowfall or road closure, the Divisional Commissioner directed the Deputy Commissioner of Ganderbal to arrange for accommodation for stranded passengers at Sonamarg and Gagangeer. Additionally, details of stranded passengers should be shared with the Deputy Commissioner of Kargil for better coordination.
The Div Com also instructed the RTO Kashmir and SSP Rural Kashmir to ensure that all vehicles traveling through Zojila Pass are equipped with anti-skid chains and are mechanically sound. Vehicles should also adhere to permissible tonnage limits, with RTO Kashmir tasked to ensure the operationalisation of weighing bridges along the route.
Moreover, Div Com Bidhuri emphasised the need for adherence to traffic advisories issued by the Traffic Department, in collaboration with the monitoring committee, and instructed that these advisories be widely publicized through media channels.
In preparation for any emergencies, he also directed the stationing of recovery cranes along the Zojila Pass route and urged CMO Ganderbal to ensure smooth functioning of the hospital at Sonamarg during road closures.