Sonmarg (J-K), Apr 16 : The strategic Srinagar-Leh highway in Jammu and Kashmir, which remained snow-blocked for six months, has been re-opened.

The highway links Srinagar with the Ladakh region.

Every year, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) undertakes snow clearance operations on all border roads in the mountainous Himalayan range to facilitate the movement of residents and military personnel to remote that have been regions cut-off due to snow from the rest of the country.

Officials claimed that the all-important lifeline of the region was opened in record time.

"I assure that the vehicles will keep on moving. I have planned to deploy my maintenance team. They will be working day and night to make the road surfaces smooth," said A.P Sinha, commander, BRO.

Truckers expressed happiness over the re-opening of the highway.

Farooq Ahmed, a driver, said: "When the highway opens shopkeepers also set their shops in the market. The business is increased, so it's good for us. We remain in snow for six months and there is no work. We are happy that we get opportunity to earn when highway opens."

The strategic Srinagar-Ladakh Highway passes through the 11,578-foot high Zojila pass which lies on the lower depression of the Himalayan range, about 100-kilometres from Srinagar.

The pass attracts the heaviest snowfall during winter and as such it remains closed to traffic for nearly six months in a year.

ANI