The Salang Pass, one of Afghanistan’s most vital highways connecting the north to the center and south of the country, has been partially reopened to passenger vehicles after nearly two days of closure caused by heavy snowfall, blizzards, and poor visibility.
Kabul 24: The Ministry of Public Works announced that its technical teams worked tirelessly to clear the route and keep this critical pathway operational.Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, stated: “Due to heavy snow, storms, and limited visibility, and to prevent loss of life and financial damage, the Salang Highway was closed to traffic at 2:40 a.m. on Monday.
Since then, snowfall accompanied by storms and strong winds has continued in various sections. However, maintenance personnel launched clearing operations and managed to open one lane today for fast-moving vehicles, allowing those stranded on both sides to pass.”Habib-ur-Rahman Kajkol, the Salang security commander, added: “We are positioned at the tunnel entrance.
The district’s 24-hour patrols are actively monitoring, and in these conditions, we’ve increased patrols to ensure people face no issues.”en.wikipedia.org
Many drivers and passengers complain that closures of the Salang Pass not only leave them stranded but also disrupt the transportation of food, fuel, and medicine.
Despite the reopening, the extreme winter cold remains a major challenge; disregard by some drivers could endanger passengers’
The Salang Pass, a strategic route passing through high mountains and including a long tunnel, frequently faces such disruptions during winter, highlighting the need for better infrastructure and equipment to minimize recurring issues
