Early opening of Zojila Pass would save Rs 450 Cr, says DG Border Roads | Exclusive

Stating that the Border Roads Organization (BRO) has set another record, Border Roads Director General Lt. Gen. Rajeev Chaudhry said on Wednesday that the early opening of Zojila Pass, which connects Ladakh with the rest of the country via a road link, it would save Rs 450 crore from the treasury this year. ZojiLa’s Crucial Pass is set to open Thursday (March 16) after being delayed one day from its initial schedule.

Zojila Pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578ft on the Srinagar-Leh highway and closes in November but this year it was kept open till 6th January due to BRO’s frantic efforts. However, it also opens early, making it the shortest winter closure in recent years.

In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, he said that the opening of the pass would make it easier for the people of Ladakh to have road connectivity with the rest of the country and would also be highly beneficial for the movement of the armed forces.

“Zojila used to be closed for at least 160 days, but this time we are opening it early. We are making a record. We also wanted to break mentalities,” said Lt. Gen. Chaudhary.

For the past several years, each subsequent year marks a new and great triumph for Zojila Pass.

• In 2022, the pass was closed for 73 days, from January 5 to March 19

• In 2020-21, closed on December 31 and reopened on March 16

• The previous year closed on December 11, 2019 and reopened on March 15, 2020

• In 2018-19, the pass closed on November 22 and reopened on May 5

• Similarly, in 2017-18 it closed on December 10 and reopened on April 6, 2018

He also discussed the efforts of BRO Karamyogis and various avalanche prone points from Sonamarg to Zero Point and Zero Point to Dras. The head of BRO also reported on how alarm equipment has been deployed at these points.

When asked about the benefits other than connectivity with locals and the military, he said, “BRO opens 26-30 passes along with LAC. In all countries, we have accelerated the opening process. We have some major passes that remain open at all times. Once this path is open, we will save 7 crores per day. In one season, just by opening Zojila early, we can save the government treasury to the tune of Rs 450 crore for the Armed Forces alone.”

“We want all-weather connectivity on this axis. We have two tunnels: Zojila and Z Morh. Construction work is going fast. These two tunnels should be ready by 2025. Then we will have all-weather connectivity,” he added.

Following the situation with China in Ladakh, this path is very critical for the Indian Army and its operational readiness. Many supplies for the forces pass through this road and help the movement of convoys to the region. The highway also facilitates the delivery of goods and supplies to Ladakh that are otherwise shipped by air.

The reopening of the pass is cause for celebration for the people of Kargil and Ladakh as it connects with the rest of the country. On the opening day of the highway’s opening last year, 560 vehicles, including cargo trucks carrying fresh supplies, medicine and other essential items, passed through the pass.

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