By IANS,
Srinagar: The 475-km long Srinagar-Leh highway was opened for traffic Monday after it had remained closed for the winter.
The highway is the lifeline for the cold desert Ladakh region, comprising the Leh and Kargil districts.
The 11,000-foot high Zojilla pass, which connects the valley with the Ladakh region, receives very heavy snowfall during the winter months, forcing the closure of the highway for nearly six months each year.
The highway is normally opened for traffic by the end of April, but this year the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), that maintains the road, started snow clearance operations right from the beginning of this month.
The first convey of vehicles from the valley was flagged off by senior officials of the BRO across the Zojilla pass.