The Ministry of Public Works has announced that the Salang Highway will remain closed to all large passenger and freight vehicles from the 20th of Qaus to the 4th of Jadi in the solar calendar.

The ministry’s spokesperson stated that this decision was made due to recent icy conditions and snowfalls that have reduced traffic capacity on alternate routes.

Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, said: "To protect the lives and property of our dear citizens and to prevent unfortunate incidents, the Salang Highway will remain closed to large passenger vehicles such as 303, 404, 580, and other large passenger and freight vehicles until 4 Jadi this year."

Meanwhile, some drivers and passengers have expressed concerns that the onset of winter and continuous snowfall and rain will make traveling via alternative routes to the Salang Highway particularly challenging.

They urged the interim government to complete ongoing projects at this critical passage before heavy snowfalls begin.

Abdullah, one of the drivers, said: “I was on the road for 36 hours, and the route is extremely difficult and in poor condition. This is a major problem for the people. The Salang Highway was also closed last year; if this issue is not resolved, we will face numerous challenges in both spring and winter.”

Rahmatullah, a passenger, added: “The Salang route is short, but the Shiber route is very long. Due to the problems on the Salang Highway, we had to use this alternative route.”

At the same time, the Ministry of Public Works has called on all citizens and government agency employees to cooperate with officials and staff working on the Salang passage.

Previously, the Ministry of Public Works announced that work on ten galleries and other sections of the Salang passage is ongoing and would be completed before the onset of winter.