DC, Kargil, Santosh Sukhdeve visited Spangla top near Zojila pass and took stock of the preparations for the opening of the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh, National Highway for traffic besides inspecting the ongoing works on the construction of Zojila Tunnel on February 25.

Manager Project NHIDCL, Gurpreet Singh briefed DC about the progress of the ongoing tunnel construction works. DC Kargil directed the concerned officials of NHIDCL to keep snow clearance machinery in readiness to supplement road clearance operations in case of need.

The officials of NHIDCL and Mega Infrastructures &Engineering Limited assured the DC to provide the necessary logistics in the smooth operation of traffic on the Zojila pass.

He informed that as per the decision of the higher authorities, subject to fair weather conditions, the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National highway will be thrown open for vehicular traffic on 28 February 2021.

Meanwhile, the DC also visited the site identified for the establishment of the COVID-19 screening point at Meenamarg Check Post and took stock of the necessary arrangements regarding the safe passage of passengers from the post to enter Ladakh.

CMO, Kargil was asked to ensure the installation of required machinery, necessary logistics besides also making sure the availability of required health personnel at the screening point. He also directed the concerned officers to establish a quarantine centre as well at the Meenamarg check post.

Meanwhile, the DC also met various public delegations at Dak Bungalow Drass where the representatives of Teachers’ Forum, contractors, unemployed youth, and other representatives projected their grievances and issues.

The main demands projected by the delegations included the release of pending allowances of teachers, providing employment opportunities to the youths of Drass in Zojila tunnel construction works, and restoration of work for porters, which has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.