Srinagar Leh Highway Status 2019

Srinagar Leh Highway Status 2019 as of now is closed. Like previous years, this will remain to be a dedicated post for updating the status of Srinagar to Leh road and it’s condition in 2019. Along with this blog post, I will also be running a thread on the Community Forum Srinagar to Leh Road Status 2019 which I will recommend that you follow to receive the latest word on opening of the highway.

Srinagar to Leh Highway Status 2019: OPEN

Srinagar Sonamarg Road Status: OPEN

Leh to Kargil Road: OPEN

Kargil to Padum Road: OPEN

Update: June 17th

 If planning to go from Srinagar to Leh, please keep in mind that from Sonamarg to Zojila top is a huge traffic jam. Same is the situation if you were coming from Leh side. Below is an update on the timings at Zojila.

• Srinagar – Sonamarg – Gumari Road: Vehicular movement shall be allowed both ways from Kargil towards Srinagar and vice versa.
• LMVs from 0500 hrs. to 0700 hrs and HMVs from 0700 hrs to 1000 hrs shall be allowed from Minimarg towards Srinagar
• LMVs from 1000 hrs. to 1200 hrs. & HMVs from 1200 hrs. to 1500 hrs. shall be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil

Update: April 28th

After a long wait, Srinagar Leh Highway was declared open for civilian traffic today. The road was thrown open by GOC 15 Corps Lt Gen J S Dhillon in an inaugural function held at zero point Zojila today by flagging off a convoy. The road was closed in December last year and due to heavy snow accumulation and snow avalanches, the reopening of the road got delayed by almost a month this year.

This will mark the official beginning of tourist season in Ladakh this year. A lot of people have eagerly been waiting for the road to open. Last year the highway got opened in March 1st week itself but this year, due to heavy snow on the road, the opening got delayed.

With that being said, I will strongly advise not traveling on the road for at least next 2 to 3 weeks. Please note that the highway was declared open on Friday itself but due to avalanches at 10 or 12 different places, BRO had to close it again. While the army convoys and locals were able to drive across Zojila today, it is not yet safe for tourists to ply on. There is also a huge chance that the road may get closed again for a couple of days for restoration work.

For recent updates on the opening of the road, please follow the forum thread Srinagar to Leh Road Status 2019

How to Plan a Journey on Srinagar Leh Highway

If you are thinking of a trip to Ladakh next year then I would request you to read through How to Plan a Trip to Leh Ladakh – Complete Travel Guide. In this article, I have covered in details almost every aspect of traveling to Ladakh. Reading this, you will have information on things you must carry; clothes you should pack; planning your itinerary; things you must see and where you can stay. Some of the other things that you must know and covered in the article above are on how to prepare your vehicle for the trip; how to handle acute mountain sickness in Ladakh; and what you should keep in mind while traveling with children and elders.

A few articles that will provide you information on Srinagar Leh highway are listed below. Go through these posts and prepare yourself for the trip as you wait for the road to open.

• Is Srinagar Leh Highway Safe for Tourists?
• Srinagar to Leh Route Guide and Road Map
• Why you should travel to Ladakh via Srinagar Leh Highway
• How to Travel from Srinagar to Leh
• Best Time to Travel from Srinagar to Leh by Road 
• How to rent a motorcycle in Srinagar
• Srinagar to Leh Bus Service
• Srinagar to Leh Travel Time
• Guest Houses & Hotels on Srinagar Leh Highway
• ATMs, Mechanics & Petrol Pumps on Srinagar Leh Highway
• Tourist Attractions on Srinagar Leh Highway

Update: April 20th

Two ambulances from Kargil crossed over Zojila this morning and reached Sonamarg safely. The pass has been cleared of snow and assessment is currently being made about when to declare to for civilian traffic. The way the work has been progressing, it is hopeful that the road may get declared open by April 25th or by May 1st at most.

The road from Kargil to Padum (Zanskar) as well was declared open for vehicular traffic today. However, only light vehicles are being allowed as of now and it will be a few days before heavy motor vehicles will get allowed. There is still snow at Pensi La pass and road widening and restoration work is still under progress.

Srinagar Leh Highway Status 2019 – Update: Update: April 18th

The road from Srinagar to Sonamarg has been declared open for LMVs. For now, traffic on the Gagangeer-Sonamarg stretch is allowed from 11 am to 3 pm only. BRO is anticipating to reopen the Sonamarg – Leh stretch by May 1st week. Snow clearance work has been completed from both Sonamarg and Drass side up to zero point (Zojila). The work now continues to widen the road which should be completed in next week or so. After that, road conditions will be assessed before taking the decision about when to allow traffic on the road.

However, the recent and sudden change in weather may delay the widening work and push the opening date even further into May. Zojila has already experienced a fresh spell of snow and more is expected until April 20th. For now, do not plan traveling on the stretch any sooner than May 10th. Even if the road did get open before that, it will be very risky to travel on and may get closed anytime.

Another new development would be in form of the decision taken by the government to stop civil traffic movement on Jammu Srinagar highway every Wednesday and Sunday from 4 AM to 5 PM. This decision was made after the recent Pulwama attack. Until May 31st, 2 days of the week will be reserved for movement for military convoys and rest 5 days will be for civil traffic. Will it continue to remain this way after May 31st is not yet clear. If you are planning to travel from Jammu to Srinagar by road in near future, please plan your itinerary accordingly.

Srinagar Leh Highway Status 2019 – Update: Update: April 7th

The road from Srinagar to Sonamarg has been cleared of snow but is still not open for tourists. Official sources said that there are apprehensions of snow avalanches en route due to huge accumulation of snow due to which traffic movement is not yet allowed beyond Gagangir. It is only after proper assessment of the road conditions that tourists will be allowed to visit Sonamarg. As of now, erected barricades have been erected near Gagangir to stop any traffic movement on the road.

Srinagar Leh Highway Status 2019 – Update: March 24th

As per the (BRO) officials, The snow clearance operation on 12 kilometers road from Gagangeer to Sonamarg was completed on Sunday. The work was kick started in March 1st week and it took 3 weeks for BRO to get to Sonamarg because of heavy accumulation of snow this year. Traffic however has still not been allowed as there are still apprehensions of snow avalanches en route. The entire area has witnessed more snow this year as compared to previous years and proper assessment of the road conditions will be made next week before any traffic movement is allowed. Until then, Sonamarg will remain closed for both tourists and locals.

BRO will now start working towards clearing the snow from Zojila Top. Considering that it took 3 weeks to clear the 12 kilometers between Gagangeer and Sonamarg, it would probably be April end or early May before the road across Zojila is deemed as safe to travel for tourists.

Srinagar Leh Highway Status 2019 – Update: March 10th

Snow clearing work on Srinagar Leh highway was officially started last week. BRO is now working to first clear the snow on 12 kilometers long Gagangeer Sonamarg stretch and is hopeful to have it completed by the end of March. After reaching Sonamarg, work will then continue towards the Zojila pass to free its 30 kilometers long stretch of snow. The amount of snow this year is much greater as compared to previous ones. Around 6 to 7 feet of snow is accumulated on the ground between Gagangeer and Sonamarg.

Srinagar Leh Highway Status 2019 – Update: March 3rd

Last year at this time, the snow clearing operation on Srinagar Leh highway was in full swing and by 15th, the entire stretch was declared open for civilian traffic. On Manali Leh route too, the clearing operation started in early March itself and by April 1st week, the road was open for traffic.

Situation this year however is entirely different. It continues to snow heavily all over Himalayas and more snow is expected. Opening of all roads and passes this year will definitely get delayed. As of now, in terms of Srinagar Leh route, do not expected it to open any earlier than late April. Rohtang Pass will probably not open by Mid May and Manali Leh highway in early June. This however is just an estimate for now and can get changed as the weather progresses.

Even the opening of Sonamarg this year will not be before early April. Snow clearing operation on this stretch has not even started yet as the region is still experiencing snowfall.

Srinagar Leh Highway Status 2019 – Update: February 18th

The recent blast that killed 42 CRPF man has the entire valley and the country on edge right now. How it is going to affect the opening of the road and the tourist season is something that only time will tell. A curfew has been imposed in several places. If you were planning to visit Kashmir anytime soon, then I would strongly recommend that you put your plans on hold for a while; and wait for the tension to ease down.

Srinagar Leh Highway Status 2019 – Update: February 11th

The snow this year has been far too great than last few ones. The snowstorm in early Feb followed by incessant rains have made the matters worse. More snowfall is expected in coming week and throughout the month of February. There is already about 4 to 5 feet of snow in several places in Kashmir and Ladakh. Posting below a recent picture of Srinagar Leh highway at Fotula Top; shared by a friend of mine traveled from Leh to Kargil last week.

Srinagar Leh Highway Status 2019 – Update: February 4th

The road right now is only open till Gagangir. Snow this year has been way more than expected; and the snowfall still continues. Even Sonamarg was declared closed for tourists several weeks earlier than usual. The way the weather is trending right now, do not expect Srinagar Leh Highway to reopen any sooner than early May. Even Sonamarg right now is expected to remain closed well into April.

Srinagar Leh Highway Status 2019 – Update: December 9th

Sharing a recent picture of the highway near Sonamarg that I recently received from a friend.

Srinagar to Leh Opening Date 2019

The opening of the road entirely depends on the weather and how fast BRO is able to clear the snow after winter ends. Historically, mid April is a safe time to assume as the opening date of Srinagar Leh Highway. There have been instances though when it was opened early.

2018 is a great example when the entire stretch was free of snow; and open for traffic in as early as March. But as a tourist, I will not recommend planning a journey on the road any sooner than late April or early May. Even if the road was declared open before this, it will be in terrible condition. Allowing a few weeks after opening will give time for BRO to stabilize the road. You must keep in mind that in early days of opening, a temporary closure that can sometimes last a couple of days is common as BRO continues repair work on the road.

Srinagar Leh Highway Status 2019

An official announcement is yet to be made; but Srinagar Leh highway has remained closed for last 4 days after heavy snowfall at Sonamarg, Zoji La and Drass. It is highly unlikely that the road will now open for vehicular movement; but even if it does, it is too risky to be traveling on it now. Chances of weather closing in any minute and road getting blocked are high right now. Authorities may open the road for a few more days for locals or they may not; but as a tourist, you can safely assume that the road currently is off limits. It is only a matter of days before it is declared closed officially.

Conclusion

I hope the information above was of help. For latest updates on the highway, please look through the comments section on this page; or follow the community thread Srinagar to Leh Road Status 2019. If you have any questions; please feel free to comment and ask; and I will be glad to answer.