SRINAGAR: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has reopened Zojila Pass in record time, restoring connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh after a closure of just 32 days. On April 1, Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, Director General of BRO, flagged off the first convoy towards Ladakh, marking a major achievement in high-altitude road maintenance.
Zojila Pass, one of the most challenging mountain passes in the world, was shut down on February 27 due to relentless snowfall caused by a Western Disturbance. The closure lasted 17 days, with heavy snow accumulation creating formidable obstacles. Despite harsh conditions, BRO personnel worked in sub-zero temperatures, braving high-velocity winds and avalanche-prone terrain, to clear the route in a record 15 days between March 17 and March 31.
The annual closure of Zojila Pass disrupts not only the movement of troops and essential supplies but also affects the lives of Ladakh’s residents, who depend on this route for trade, medical support, and economic activities. However, due to technological advancements and improved snow-clearance techniques, the duration of these closures has drastically reduced from nearly six months a few decades ago to just weeks now.
The swift reopening of the pass underscores BRO’s commitment to maintaining this critical lifeline. Under Project Beacon in Kashmir and Project Vijayak in Ladakh, BRO continues to play a vital role in ensuring all-weather connectivity to the strategically important region.
