Zojila (J&K) (PTI): Despite fresh snowfall, the Srinagar-Leh road, which remained closed for four winter months, was reopened for traffic on Tuesday.

An army convoy, carrying essential commodities to the troops stationed in Kargil and Leh districts, was the first to travel on the 434-km road. The road was opened 45 days ahead of schedule.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad declared open the road in presence of General Officer Commanding of 15 Corps Lt Gen Mukesh Sabherwal.

Chief Engineer Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Brigadier D Palit said the road was initially opened for army convoy only.

He said the road was not fit for normal traffic yet as one and a half feet of fresh snowfall was witnessed at some places since yesterday.

Zojila Pass, situated at a height of 11,578 foot, attracts the heaviest snowfall during the winter and normally it remained closed to traffic for six to seven months in a year.

Palit said snow clearance operation was launched on the road from February 26 this year, two months earlier than schedule.

Average height of snow on the road at Zojila Pass was above ten feet and maximum height of snow avalanches was 40 feet, he said referring to the challenges which the BRO faced in making the road traffic worthy.