In a remarkable feat, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) opened the strategic 11,650 feet Zojila Pass on the Greater Himalayan Range on Thursday, just 68 days after it was closed for traffic on January 6.
Relentless snow clearance operations amidst tough weather conditions were carried out at the pass which acts as a gateway between Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring that it remained closed for only 68 days this year as compared to 73 days last year and 160-180 days in the yesteryears.
The snow clearance operations were undertaken from both sides of the pass by Project Beacon and Vijayak, located in J&K and Ladakh respectively, since the first week of February.
After sustained efforts, the connectivity across Zoji La Pass was initially established on March 11. Thereafter, efforts were made to improve the road conditions to create safe passage of vehicles.
इस वर्ष मात्र 68 दिनों के बाद, आज आवाज़ाही के लिए खुल गया ज़ोजिला पास।-20°C तापमान और बर्फीले तूफानों के बीच बीआरओ कर्मी पीछे नहीं हटे।उन्होंने अत्याधुनिक स्नो कटर व हैवी ड्यूटी उपकरणों के माध्यम से अब तक के रिकॉर्ड समय में ज़ोजिला दर्रे पर वाहनों की निर्बाध आवाजाही सुनिश्चित की। pic.twitter.com/2ScNEK4UWd
— A. Bharat Bhushan Babu (@SpokespersonMoD) March 16, 2023
Likewise, Razdan Pass which provides the only road connectivity between the Gurez Sector and the Kashmir Valley was also successfully reopened today after a gap of just 58 days. Other important passes at Sadhna, Pharkiyan Gali and Zamindar Gali have been kept open throughout the winter season.
Speaking on the occasion, BRO Director General Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry commended the “Karamyogis” of Project Beacon and Project Vijayak in achieving this feat.
We are thankful to @BROindia team (workers, officers) and all other concerned departments, including police personnel, for their tireless work in opening the strategic Zojila Pass and reconnecting #Ladakh with the world again after 68 days.
We hope that the UT administration… https://t.co/rIDuYwa7PO pic.twitter.com/Xg8SODSlFz— Sajjad Kargili | سجاد کرگلی (@SajjadKargili_) March 16, 2023
“Early opening of the Zojila and Razdan Passes will facilitate augmentation of supply of essential goods and services for people of Ladakh and Gurez Valley,” he said.
The DGBR further said that the trial movement of vehicles has been conducted successfully today and the decision to open the road for civil traffic will be taken by the civil administration after the conduct of joint inspection.
