Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, convened an important meeting with key officers and agencies to discuss the management of vehicular movement through the Zojila Pass, which serves as a critical road link between Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh. With temperatures dropping and frosty conditions expected to worsen, the meeting was focused on ensuring the safety of travellers and maintaining smooth traffic flow through the pass. During the meeting, Div Com Bidhuri stressed the need for close coordination between various agencies, including the District Administrations of Kargil and Ganderbal, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and law enforcement. Decisions regarding the opening and closure of the Zojila Pass should be based on the prevailing weather and road conditions, with regular consultations between these agencies to monitor and assess the situation. He also emphasised the importance of establishing a joint control room that would involve coordination between the District Administration of Ganderbal, Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), ensuring effective communication and rapid response during adverse weather conditions. In case of road closures due to snow or other weather-related events, Div Com Bidhuri instructed that the District Administration of Ganderbal arrange accommodation for stranded passengers at Sonamarg and Gagangeer. The Deputy Commissioner of Kargil would be responsible for compiling and sharing a list of stranded travellers and their locations, allowing authorities to ensure that everyone is accounted for and safe. The meeting also focused on ensuring vehicle safety. Div Com Bidhuri directed the RTO Kashmir and SSP Rural to ensure that vehicles traveling through the Zojila Pass were equipped with anti-skid chains and were mechanically sound. Vehicles must also adhere to the permissible tonnage limits, and RTO Kashmir was tasked with ensuring that the weighing bridges en route were operational. Traffic advisories, issued by the Traffic Department in consultation with the relevant committees, were to be widely publicised through media outlets to keep travellers informed and prevent accidents. In addition to these measures, Div Com Bidhuri instructed the stationing of recovery cranes along the Zojila Pass route to assist in the removal of stranded vehicles, ensuring that the road remains clear and accessible. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Ganderbal was also directed to ensure that medical facilities at Sonamarg are fully operational during any road closure, providing critical support to travelers in need. The meeting was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including officials from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Public Works Department (PWD), BSNL, and telecom companies like Jio and Airtel. Their involvement is essential to ensure that the necessary infrastructure and communication networks are in place to manage the road’s accessibility and ensure traveler safety. The collective efforts of all these agencies will be crucial in managing the challenges posed by the Zojila Pass, especially during the harsh winter months.