Ladakh’s Lifeline Zojila Pass Reopens In Record 32 Days, Thanks To Impressive Work By BRO

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has reopened the strategic lifeline connecting Ladakh with the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India, the Zojila Pass. In a remarkable achievement, they were able to successfully reopen the pass in a record 32 days, after it was temporarily closed after heavy snowfall.

Zojila Pass Reopens In Record Time This Year

According to India Today, after the challenging closure due to heavy snowfall, the BRO has successfully reopenrf the Zojila Pass. What’s impressive is that they were able to reopen the vital mountain pass in a record 32 days. For context, it took the agencies 110 days in 2021 to reopen the pass after the snowfall.

#ZozilaPass

Braving extreme terrain and weather conditions, BRO once again reconnected Kargil and Leh by painstakingly clearing unsurmountable snow walls at Zojila Pass on Srinagar Leh Highway today on 01 April.

In a brief ceremony to mark the event, the
first convoy was… pic.twitter.com/OjmS7onpSU

— 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (@BROindia) April 1, 2025

Zojila Pass, located in Ladakh’s Kargil district, experiences heavy snowfall each year. This intense snowfall forces the temporary closure of the pass. This shutdown affects the army troops and the locals, as they rely on this route for trade, medical support, and other economic activities. Typically, the pass remains closed from mid-November to late April.

This year, Zojila Pass experienced an unusual snowfall caused by a western disturbance from February 27 to March 16. Due to sub-zero temperatures, high-velocity winds, and avalanche-prone areas, the snow accumulation was quite challenging. However, despite these extreme conditions, as soon as the weather cleared, the BRO teams began clearing the snow and were able to resume traffic by April 1.

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All About This Vital Mountain Pass

Reportedly, Zojila means the ‘mountain pass of blizzards.’ This 11,643 feet-high pass serves as the only road connection between Ladakh and the rest of India, which means it is quite vital to the region’s survival. It is located on the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri route and is also strategically important to India as it connects the country to areas like Kargil, Siachen, and Daulat Beg Oldi. Authorities are constructing an all-weather Zojila Tunnel to mitigate seasonal road blockages caused by heavy snowfall each year.

Also Read: Skip Japan’s Cherry Blossom, Head To Kashmir For Badamwari Garden’s Almond Bloom

Kudos to BRO for this impressive feat!

Cover Image Courtesy: X/@BROindia