Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 17: The Srinagar-Leh National Highway remained closed for traffic for the third consecutive day today with hundreds of passenger vehicles and trucks carrying various goods stranded.
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The road was closed for vehicular traffic following an avalanche at Zojila pass. However, despite the passage of days, the road remained closed.
The worst-hit are the truckers and other carriers who are stranded with perishable goods and were heading towards Leh. The passengers are also facing hardships.
“We have been here for the last 3 days; the goods we are carrying are getting damaged, and we are facing losses. I am carrying fruits and was heading towards Leh,” said a stranded driver at the Sonamarg check post.
Facing losses, a trucker was also seen selling bananas he was carrying to Leh. “Now that we are stranded with the road opening nowhere in sight, it is better to save the goods; I am carrying goods worth Rs 2 lakhs.”
A labourer, Satish from Nepal, who is also heading towards Leh, said that he, along with his fellow workers, are facing hardships with most running out of money.
“I am running out of money now, and due to that, I am facing difficulties. We are not even getting proper food; we urge the authorities to ensure the road is opened for traffic,” he said.
Traffic authorities told Excelsior that if weather permits and if they get a green signal from the BEACON authorities, the traffic will be allowed to ply from 1 pm tomorrow.
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