Border Roads Organization Opens Zojila Pass in Record Time of 32 Days, Restores Vital Connectivity to Ladakh.
Zojila Pass Reopens After Intense Snowfall, Reducing Closure Period to a Record Low.
New Delhi:
The Border Roads Organization (BRO) has achieved a remarkable feat by reopening the critical Zojila Pass in a record time of just 32 days after its closure for the winter season. On 1st April 2025, Lieutenant General Raghu Srinivasan, Director General of BRO, flagged off the first convoy toward Ladakh, marking the successful restoration of a crucial lifeline connecting Kashmir Valley to Ladakh.
The Zojila Pass, one of the most challenging high-altitude passes in the world, typically faces closure due to heavy snowfall and extreme weather conditions during the winter months. This year, the pass experienced an unusually short but intense closure from 27th February to 16th March 2025 because of a powerful Western Disturbance that brought relentless snowfall. The accumulation of snow during this period posed a formidable challenge for the BRO, which had to clear a massive volume of snow from the pass.
Despite the daunting task, BRO personnel worked tirelessly under extreme conditions, including sub-zero temperatures, high-velocity winds, and an avalanche-prone terrain. Their determination and commitment paid off as they managed to clear the pass in an unprecedented 15 days, from 17th March to 31st March 2025, far exceeding expectations.
Historically, the Zojila Pass has faced closures for several months each winter, disrupting the movement of essential supplies, troops, and even daily life for the residents of Ladakh, who rely heavily on this route for trade, medical support, and other economic activities. However, due to technological advancements, improved snow-clearance techniques, and the relentless efforts of the BRO, the closure period has been drastically reduced in recent years, from as much as six months a few decades ago to just a few weeks today.
The successful reopening of Zojila Pass is a significant achievement for the BRO, whose Project Beacon in Kashmir and Project Vijayak in Ladakh work year-round to ensure timely restoration of vital connectivity in this challenging region. The reopening also highlights the resilience and efficiency of the BRO in maintaining critical infrastructure despite some of the world’s most inhospitable conditions.
In a statement, Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan praised the extraordinary efforts of the BRO personnel and emphasized the strategic importance of the Zojila Pass for national security and economic stability. He further stated that the Zojila Pass reopening not only restores essential connectivity but also strengthens the strategic defense capabilities of the nation by ensuring the uninterrupted movement of troops and supplies to Ladakh.
This achievement is expected to have significant positive impacts on the local population of Ladakh, improving access to goods, medical services, and boosting economic activities as the region moves into the warmer months.
The reopening of the Zojila Pass marks another milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure in its most remote and strategically sensitive areas, reflecting the country’s resolve to overcome the challenges of geography and weather in order to ensure the well-being and security of its people.
