March 02: After remaining close for around 58 days, the Srinagar-Leh highway is open again for regular vehicular traffic soon after the heavy snow along with the Zojila pass has been cleared. This information was given by the road construction executive force in India, Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The highway was opened on the 28th of February this year.
As per the organisation that is part of the Indian Armed Forces, clearing the snow from the Zojila Pass is a challenge given that the snow accumulates to a level of 30-40 feet. Other than this there are several inclement weather condition and threats of avalanches.
One of the organisation’s issued statement read, “Due to the ongoing border dispute in Eastern Ladakh, keeping Zojila pass open for an extended period was a strategic requirement. BRO with grit dedication to serve the nation, kept Z-axis trafficable till December 31 last year. Snow clearance was resumed again on February 7 and a link up with Drass was made on February 15. The pass has been declared opened February 28. In recorded history, this has been the earliest opening of Zojila and also a minimum period of closure of this axis.”
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Initially, the vehicles carrying essential commodities were allowed to move towards the Leh-Ladakh from the Zojila Pass.