LIFELINE OF LADAKH
Union Territory of Ladakh has only one lifeline in the shape of Srinagar-Leh national highway as the Manali-Leh road often gets disrupted. Recently after four months of winter disruption, authorities decided to open this highway amid lockdown due to coronavirus threat.
UT administration of Ladakh on Friday after taking feedback from the ground decided to allow limited traffic including trucks and oil tankers as the supplies are very essential in this region.
While allowing the traffic to move in UT of Ladakh, the administration has given strict instructions to police that all the incoming vehicles should be thoroughly checked and the drivers should not be allowed to mingle with local residents both in Kargil and Leh.
The administration knows that they have a very limited period of summer to bring essential items into the region as the highway remains closed for four to five months of winter. The government has decided that they will not keep the drivers and helpers coming from other areas in quarantine for two weeks so the social distancing is must for the looming threat COVID-19.
The fresh snowfall on Zojila pass has disrupted traffic again and many trucks and tankers are awaiting in Sonmarg area to cross over. Though the police is trying to keep them in isolation, but there are chances that they will mingle with local residents on both sides of the Zojila, making the local population vulnerable to infection.
