Srinagar, May 15, 2026 : The Office of the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir on Friday announced the reopening of the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road for two-way traffic movement of Medium and Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) following extensive snow clearance operations along the highway.
According to an official notification, the strategic road corridor has been reopened from May 15, 2026, subject to weather conditions and strict safety regulations issued by the authorities.
The advisory stated that the district administrations of Ganderbal, Drass and Kargil will review weather advisories daily before allowing vehicular movement and finalising traffic timings on the route.
To ensure smooth regulation of traffic, authorities have directed the Traffic Police Rural Kashmir to establish a dedicated traffic check-post at Sonamarg. Recovery vans will also remain deployed along vulnerable upper stretches of the highway to assist stranded or damaged vehicles.
Officials further made it mandatory for all vehicles travelling on the SSG Road to be equipped with anti-skid chains due to the possibility of slippery conditions in snow-bound areas.
The administration clarified that only vehicles falling within the prescribed weight limits will be permitted to ply on the road after mandatory weighing checks at Sonamarg.
For better coordination and emergency response, joint control rooms involving officials from the Traffic, Civil Administration, Police, and Mechanical Engineering Departments will be set up in Ganderbal, Drass, and Kargil districts.
Authorities also stated that the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has been directed to coordinate with the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) for timely issuance of avalanche warnings and weather alerts to all concerned agencies.
The advisory recommended that vehicles using the route should preferably be four-wheel drive, mechanically fit, and operated by experienced drivers familiar with mountainous terrain and snow-bound roads.
Officials added that movement of designated vehicles on the highway will take place in escorted convoys from both ends of the road to ensure maximum safety for commuters.
The reopening of the SSG Road is expected to improve connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh regions after prolonged winter disruption caused by heavy snowfall.
