Ganderbal : The high-mast light installed by the construction company engaged in building the Zojila Tunnel along the Sonamarg Bypass road has gone defunct, causing serious inconvenience to travelers and truck drivers during nighttime hours. The facility, erected at a cost of over one lakh rupees, was meant to ensure smooth vehicular movement and enhance safety in the area.
Drivers told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the high-mast light was installed by the tunnel construction company to illuminate the stretch frequently used by heavy vehicles and passenger traffic on the Srinagar–Leh highway. The area also accommodates a truck yard where several drivers halt overnight during their journeys to and from Ladakh.
However, the light has reportedly stopped functioning for several days, plunging the area into darkness once evening sets in. Drivers said the lack of illumination poses difficulties in vehicle movement and increases the risk of accidents. “It becomes extremely difficult to move safely during the night, especially with wild animals often crossing the road,” a driver said.
The truckers and other road users have appealed to the concerned construction company to restore the high-mast light at the earliest. Locals also urged authorities to ensure regular maintenance of such essential infrastructure, particularly along the Sonamarg–Zojila stretch, which remains vital for both civilian and logistics traffic throughout the year. [KNT]
