Reported By: Akash Sharma
Last Updated: March 15, 2023, 23:40 IST
Zojila Pass is located at an altitude of 11,578 toes on the Srinagar-Leh freeway. (File photograph/PTI)
Zojila Pass is located at an altitude of 11,578 toes on the Srinagar-Leh freeway and closes in November however this 12 months it was saved open until January 6 because of the hectic efforts of BRO
Stating that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has set one other file, Director General Border Roads Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry on Wednesday stated the early opening of the Zojila Pass, which connects Ladakh to the remainder of the nation by way of a street hyperlink, would save Rs 450 crore from the exchequer this 12 months. The essential ZojiLa move is all set to open on Thursday (March 16) after getting delayed by a day from its preliminary schedule.
Zojila Pass is located at an altitude of 11,578 toes on the Srinagar-Leh freeway and closes in November however this 12 months it was saved open until January 6 because of the hectic efforts of BRO. Nevertheless, it’s opening early too, making it the shortest winter closure of the previous years.
In an unique interview with CNN-News18, he stated the opening of the move would facilitate the folks of Ladakh with street connectivity to the remainder of the nation and would even be a lot helpful for the motion of the Armed forces.
“Zojila was once closed for at the least 160 days, however this time, we’re opening it early. We are making a file. We additionally needed to interrupt mindsets,” said Lt Gen Chaudhary.
During the past few years, every subsequent year marks a big and new triumph for Zojila Pass.
• In 2022, the pass was closed for 73 days, from January 5 to March 19
• In 2020-21, it was closed on December 31 and reopened on March 16
• In the previous year, it was closed on December 11, 2019 and reopened on March 15, 2020
• In 2018-19, the pass was closed on November 22 and reopened on May 5
• Similarly, in 2017-18, it was closed on December 10 and reopened on April 6, 2018
He also talked about the efforts of BRO Karamyogis and several avalanche-prone points from Sonamarg to Zero point and zero point to Dras. The BRO chief also apprised about how alarm teams have been deployed at such points.
When asked about the benefits other than the connectivity to locals and the Armed forces, he said, “BRO opens 26-30 passes alongside the LAC. On all the passes, we have accelerated the opening process. We have some important passes that remain open throughout. Once this road is open, we are saving Rs 7 crore per day. In a season, just by opening Zojila early, we are able to save government exchequer to the tune of Rs 450 crore for Armed Forces only.”
“We need all-weather connectivity on this axis. We have two tunnels – Zojila and Z Morh. Construction work goes quick. These two tunnels ought to be prepared by 2025. We may have all-weather connectivity then,” he added.
In wake of the situation with China in Ladakh, this road is very critical for the Indian Army and its operational preparedness. A lot of supplies to the forces pass through this road and help the movement of convoys to the region. The road also facilitates the supply of goods and supplies to Ladakh which is otherwise sent by air.
The reopening of the pass is a matter of celebration for the people of Kargil and Ladakh as it links to the rest of the country. During the inaugural day of the road’s opening last year, 560 vehicles, including load carriers carrying fresh supplies, medicines, and other essential items, passed through the pass.
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