Zoji La Pass opened on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh road after 73-days

One of the two strategic roads to Ladakh was reopened on Saturday after a 73 day closure due to winter and heavy snow. Border Roads Organisation, BRO has set an all-time record of opening the gateway between Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir at the Zoji La Pass. Usually, the Zoji La Pass used to remain closed for around 160-180 days during winters on account of heavy snowfall but this time the passage is opened in just 73 days. This is the first time that BRO has been able to achieve the feat, after it had kept the pass open till January 05 through relentless snow clearance operations amidst tough weather conditions.

The snow clearance operations were undertaken by Project Beacon and Vijayak on February 15 on J&K and Ladakh sides. The connectivity across Zoji La Pass was initially established on March 04. Subsequent efforts were made to improve the road conditions to create a 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 civil administration and the Indian Army, including Director General Border Roads Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry, were present during the re-opening of the pass. Lauding the efforts of Project Beacon and Vijayak, the DGBR said, 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.