SRINAGAR: In view of plummeting temperatures and frosty condition of the road connecting the UT of Ladakh with the UT of J&K through Zojila Pass, the Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Friday convened a meeting of concerned officers & agencies regarding the opening and closure of the Pass.
Addressing the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner exhorted District Administration Kargil, District Administration Ganderbal, SSP Rural Kashmir, officers of BRO & BEACON to maintain close coordination to take a call for closure of the Zojilla Pass according to the weather conditions and position of road and in consultation with BRO & VIJAYK.
He emphasized on establishing the joint control room consisting of District Administration Ganderbal, Police, SDRF and CRPF.
Div Com said that in case of any eventuality, snowfall and closure of the road, necessary accommodation shall be provided to the stranded passengers by Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal at Sonamarg and Gagangeer. Besides, the locations and list of the stranded passengers should be shared with Deputy Commissioner, Kargil.
RTO Kashmir and SSP Rural were directed to ensure that the vehicles plying on the road shall wear anti-skid chains and must be mechanically sound. Besides, vehicles shall carry permissible tonnage.
Also, RTO Kashmir was instructed to ensure the operationalization of weighing bridges enroute the road.
Div Com also stressed all the departments and stakeholders to adhere to the traffic advisories issued by the Traffic Department in consultation with the committee and directed that the advisory should be given wide publicity through the media.
Further, Div Com gave instructions for the stationing of recovery cranes enroute the Zojilla Pass.
Moreover, CMO Ganderbal was directed to ensure the smooth functioning of the Hospital at Sonmarg during the closure of the road.
Among others, the meeting was attended by officers of IMD, MED, PW (R&B) Deptt., and BSNL besides RTO, Kashmir, CEO, Sonamarg Dev. Authority, Executive Director, NHIDCL Srinagar/Leh, Manager of M/S MEGHA Pvt. Ltd & APCO Ltd and Business Heads of Jio & Airtel.
