The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) opened Zoji La Pass for traffic on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh road today, thus setting up an all-time record of the pass being opened after just 73 days of its closure this year.
At 11,650 feet, Zoji La Pass is the gateway between the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir. This is the first time BRO has been able to achieve the feat, after it had kept the pass open till January 5, 2022 through relentless snow clearance operations amidst tough weather conditions.
Usually, the Zoji La Pass used to remain closed for around 160-180 days during winters on account of heavy snowfall.
𝗪𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗘𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗔 𝗪𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗢𝗻𝗲#Zojila Pass @ 11650 ft on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh road & linking #Kashmir with #Ladakh opened by @BROindia #19March@SpokespersonMoD @DIPR_Leh @ddnewsladakh@rajnathsingh @lg_ladakh @OfficeOfLGJandK pic.twitter.com/RL96aF2X3z
— PRO Defence Srinagar (@PRODefSrinagar) March 19, 2022
This year, snow clearance operations have been undertaken from both sides of the pass since February 15 by Project Beacon and Vijayak, located in J&K and Ladakh respectively.
After sustained efforts, the connectivity across Zoji La Pass was initially established on March 4 after which efforts were made to improve the road condition to create safe passage of vehicles.
The first convoy of vehicles carrying essential fresh supplies moved across the Zoji La Pass and reached Kargil bringing much-needed relief to the people of Ladakh.
Various dignitaries from the civil administration and the Indian Army, including Director General Border Roads (DGBR) Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry, were present during the re-opening of the pass today.
Lauding the efforts of Project Beacon and Vijayak, General Chaudhry said that the early opening of Zoji La Pass will not only bolster the defence preparedness of the country but will also facilitate the movement of essential commodities to the people of Ladakh.
He added that the opening of the pass will assist BRO to stock the material required for construction of important infrastructure projects in Ladakh.
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