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SRINAGAR: The Srinagar-Leh Road, the only surface link between Kashmir and the Ladakh region, was formally thrown open for the next six months on Sunday.
Lt. Gen. S.S. Dhillon, General Officer Commanding of 15 Corps, inaugurated the reopening of the national highway, which was closed in November last. Lt.-Gen. Dhillon flagged of an Army convoy carrying essential stores for troops deployed in Ladakh.
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The 75-km stretch from Gagangir to Drass, on either side of the Zojila Pass, received heavy snowfall last winter. The road between Gagangir and Machoi was blocked by avalanches, with 40 to 60 feet of snow piled up on it. With nearly four decades of experience in clearing snow in Zojila pass, the BRO’s Project Beacon has new snow cutting machines to aid earlier implements. Since the entire road is covered with thick snow, the most difficult task for the BRO is to identify the road alignment after every winter’s closure. Reconnaissance parties, with the help of local labourers, perform the job with various navigational aids.”
From The Hindu , May 15th 2006
high road to.. 