Jammu, Jan 31: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Saturday restored road connectivity along the 112-kilometre Kishtwar–Sansari stretch, reconnecting Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda–Kishtwar belt with Himachal Pradesh after intensive snow-clearance operations under extreme weather conditions.
The Kishtwar–Sansari road, a vital inter-state link connecting the Union Territory with Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul–Spiti region, had remained blocked due to heavy snowfall last week. Officials said the restoration was achieved in record time despite repeated snowfall and harsh terrain.
A Jammu-based defence spokesperson said the restoration work was carried out by the 118 Road Construction Company (RCC) of the 35 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) under Project Sampark. The route includes high-altitude stretches reaching up to 8,759 feet and is critical for regional connectivity.
The road axis was completely blocked after 4 to 5 feet of snowfall between January 22 and 23, with fresh snowfall on January 25 worsening conditions. BRO teams cleared nearly 2.5 feet of snow by January 26, restoring access up to Sansari. Another snowfall on January 27 again blocked the route, but intensive operations between January 28 and 30 cleared about 3.5 feet of snow within 72 hours, fully reopening the road.
Officials said the Kishtwar–Sansari road serves as a lifeline for remote high-altitude communities, supporting the movement of essential supplies, agricultural produce and emergency services between Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
Meanwhile, BRO teams are also engaged in snow-clearance operations on the Mughal Road, the alternate highway connecting Jammu’s Poonch and Rajouri districts with Srinagar via Peer Ki Gali, where men and machinery are working through snow accumulation of 8 to 10 feet to restore mid-winter connectivity. (Agencies)
