Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 24: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P K Pole today convened a meeting of officers to review status of Srinagar- Sonamarg- Gumri (SSG) road scheduled to be thrown open for civilian traffic from February 28.
On February 28, the road is to be flagged off by the Lieutenant Governor of UT of Ladakh for traffic movement.
Among others, Chief Engineer, MED, SSP Traffic Rural were present in the meeting.
The Divisional Commissioner Ladakh, Saugat Biswas, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Chief Engineer BRO, officials from NIDCL and SSPs of district Ganderbal and Kargil joined the meeting through Video Conferencing.
On the occasion, the CE, BRO briefed the Div Com about the status of road clearance on National Highway- 1.
It was given out that the road stands cleared for one way traffic, however in view of weather advisory the road shall be opened for civilian traffic from February 28.
The meeting was informed that several advisories need to be issued in view of slippery road condition and avalanche warnings including allowing plying of vehicles with chains both HMVs and LMVs and one way traffic at Zojilla pass to avoid accidents.
The Div Com said that to prevent any exigency both of these advisories shall be put in place besides there shall be proper timing to allow movement of vehicles from Sonamarg and Minamarg. The cut off time for vehicles from Sonamarg side shall be 10 am and from Minamarg, the cut off time for vehicles has been proposed as 11 am, he added.
To ensure mobile connectivity for travellers along the highway in case of any emergency, Div Com directed the BRO to provide logistic support to BSNL and Jio networks to resume the cellular connectivity.
He also directed the CE, BRO to provide different kinds assistance including accomodation, food, petrol etc to the travellers during emergency along the highway. Besides, he directed the DC Kargil, and CE, MED to place recovery vans on road as per the past practice.
The Div Com directed for close coordination among the Dy. SPs and Collectors on both sides of the pass to ensure hassle free movement of vehicles.
The Div Com, Ladakh during the meeting asked the concerned functionaries that the road clearance be conducted in coordination with telecom authorities to avoid disruption of telecommunication and internet services.
He also instructed the concerned to allow smooth movement of service vehicles of telecoms along the highway.
Meanwhile, the DC Ganderbal informed the chair that all facilities for tomorrow’s opening of Sonamarg tourist destination for tourists have been put in place including restoration of power, water and telecommunication services besides opening of hotels etc.
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