Snow place like home: Naran Road to be cleared by April 5
Gujjar nomads move to low-lying areas in November and stay there till March
Snow being cleared on Naran Road. PHOTO: EXPRESS
BALAKOT:
A 15-kilometre-strip of Naran Road has been closed since the first snowfall in December. However, it is likely to be reopened for traffic by April 5 to make way for expected tourists and returning nomads.
The area received about eight to 10 feet of snow in the last season.
“We have cleared about 7km of the road in Rajwal over the last few days and will be able to make a jeep track by clearing the other strip of 8km by April 5, provided there is no more snow or rain,” said NHA official Najeeb Khan.
Khan who is supervising the clean-up, said NHA machinery has cut five glaciers to make a jeep track as they had slipped towards the road.
“Cutting glaciers is a difficult task as it is time consuming, but the road has to be made available for tourists and locals.”
Commonly, Gujjar nomads move to low-lying areas in November and stay there till March every year when NHA clears the route.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 27th, 2015.
A 15-kilometre-strip of Naran Road has been closed since the first snowfall in December. However, it is likely to be reopened for traffic by April 5 to make way for expected tourists and returning nomads.
The area received about eight to 10 feet of snow in the last season.
“We have cleared about 7km of the road in Rajwal over the last few days and will be able to make a jeep track by clearing the other strip of 8km by April 5, provided there is no more snow or rain,” said NHA official Najeeb Khan.
Khan who is supervising the clean-up, said NHA machinery has cut five glaciers to make a jeep track as they had slipped towards the road.
“Cutting glaciers is a difficult task as it is time consuming, but the road has to be made available for tourists and locals.”
Commonly, Gujjar nomads move to low-lying areas in November and stay there till March every year when NHA clears the route.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 27th, 2015.