After closure for over two months, the strategic Srinagar-Leh national highway was thrown open for vehicular traffic by the Border Road Organization (BRO) on March 16, 2023.
The 434 kilometer long highway serves as an important link between the people of Ladakh and Kashmir, and thousands of soldiers stationed in Ladakh region. The highway traverses through the Himalayas at Zojila pass, located at 11500 feet, and then the Zanskar Mountain Range at Fatula to enter Ladakh.
Director General Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Lt General Rajeev Chaudhary said the strategic road was reopened in a record period of 68 days.
He added that the highway was kept open till January 6 this year, after which it was closed for traffic following heavy snowfall.
“The pass was open till January 6. In February, we took a decision to start clearance work on it, but keeping in mind the safety of the workers. So, we undertook the operation and in a systematic manner, cleared off the snow. Today, the traffic has started to ply on this. It has now been re-opened in record time. This is a huge achievement,” he said.
He said the reopening of the pass will given an economic push to the region.
“Tourism also opens up because of the opening of this route, and the people of Kargil, Drass and Leh benefit a lot from the opening of this route,” he said.
“ The re-opening of the highway will give a lot of relief and benefit to soldiers posted in Ladakh and the local residents ,” Chaudhary told reporters at the Zojila pass.
He said the central government also benefits a lot because of its reopening.
“For maintaining our forces deployed in Ladakh, all the supplies have to be sent by air, for which about Rs 7 crore are spent daily. We have done a calculation that we can save Rs 400-450 crore, which otherwise has to be spent for this maintenance, by reopening the road sooner,” he said.
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