Srinagar, Jan 03: The strategic Srinagar-Leh highway remained open for traffic during January, despite the Zojila Pass experiencing snowfall and extreme temperatures ranging between minus 20 to minus 26 degrees Celsius.
This remarkable milestone is being attributed to the relentless efforts of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Project Vijayak, and the Traffic Rural authorities.
According to top sources, the collaborative efforts of the BRO and traffic personnel have ensured the highway’s accessibility this winter, marking a significant achievement. Historically, the highway was closed for several months during harsh winters, often isolating the Ladakh region from the rest of Jammu and Kashmir.
In January 2017, the highway was closed following heavy snowfall across key points such as Sonamarg, Zojila Pass, Drass, and Meenmarg, only reopening in May. However, recent years have seen significant improvements. In 2022, the road remained open until December, while in 2023, it was closed for just one month. Last year, the highway was closed for only two months, signaling a trend toward improved winter connectivity.
This year’s success reflects a historic milestone, as the highway continues to be operational, a feat celebrated by commuters and locals alike.
The SSP Traffic Rural, Ravinder Paul Singh along with his team has been overseeing operations, ensuring the safety and smooth passage of vehicles. Traffic police teams are deployed at critical points, including TCP Sonamarg and Gagangir, to provide assistance to commuters while the Ganderbal Police have also monitoring the road situation always.
The BRO and Project Vijayak have overcome immense challenges, including heavy snowfall, avalanche threats, and snowdrifts at key locations like Zojila Pass, Zero Point, Captain Mode, and Shaitani Nallah. Using advanced machinery and skilled manpower, they have ensured the highway’s usability under severe winter conditions.
To ensure year-round connectivity for the people of Ladakh and Kargil, the Central government is constructing the Zojila Tunnel, with work progressing rapidly.
The Zojila Tunnel, spanning 14.5 km, is located under the Zojila Pass in the Himalayas, connecting Sonamarg in Kashmir to Drass town in Kargil district, Union Territory of Ladakh.
Approved by the Government of India in January 2018, the construction of the tunnel was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in May 2018.
Once completed, the Zojila Tunnel will significantly enhance travel on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh section of NH-1 by eliminating the risk of avalanches, improving safety, and reducing travel time from over 3 hours to just 15 minutes.
It will also hold the distinction of being India’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel, forming a key component of a larger road communication project aimed at ensuring uninterrupted connectivity between the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.
The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity, addressing the challenges posed by heavy snowfall and avalanches during winter that otherwise disrupt travel through the Zojila Pass.
