Drass, March 21: Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) Kargil, Dr. Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon, on Friday visited Gumri Zero Point at Zojila Pass to assess the ongoing snow-clearing operations being carried out in the area.
He was accompanied by District Development Commissioner Kargil, SSP Kargil, Chief Engineer Project Vijayak, Commandant of the Border Roads Organization (BRO), SDM Drass, SHO Drass and other senior officials.
During the visit, Dr. Akhoon reviewed the progress of the clearance work and interacted with the personnel on ground. He stated that the snow-clearing efforts are progressing at a rapid pace and that the Beacon team is expected to reach Panimatha Zojila by the end of the day.
He informed that heavy snowfall in the area had triggered avalanches at multiple points, further complicating the clearing process. However, he expressed optimism that, if weather conditions remain favourable, the road will be fully cleared from both sides within the next four days.
Highlighting the impact of the prolonged closure of the vital Zojila route, Dr. Akhoon pointed out that people have faced significant hardships during the holy month of Ramadan, particularly in accessing fresh vegetables and fruits. He assured that the administration is closely monitoring the situation and making every effort to restore connectivity at the earliest. Zojila Pass serves as a critical lifeline connecting Ladakh with the rest of the country and its reopening is eagerly awaited.
