The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is engaged in a challenging operation to reopen the vital Srinagar-Leh highway through the Zojila Pass, battling extreme weather, avalanche risks, and snow accumulations exceeding 30 feet in some areas. Commander 32 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) Col Sandeep Jha and Officer Commanding 122 Road Construction Company (RCC) recently conducted an on-site inspection of the snow clearance efforts.
This 434-kilometer highway, crucial for both Ladakh’s civilian population and military personnel stationed there, crosses the Himalayas at the 11,500-foot Zojila Pass and the Zanskar Range at Fatula. Zojila Pass is notorious for its severe winter conditions, making snow removal particularly difficult.
Under Project Beacon, BRO teams are working diligently, utilizing heavy machinery like snow cutters and dozers, alongside advanced engineering techniques, to ensure safe passage. During the inspection, Commander 32 BRTF met with field engineers, machine operators, and laborers, who are operating in sub-zero temperatures, to accelerate the clearing process.
The inspection focused on evaluating progress, identifying obstacles, and developing strategies to improve efficiency while prioritizing the safety of the workers. Despite the significant snow accumulation and numerous avalanche-prone areas, BRO teams have made substantial progress. The commander praised the team’s perseverance and highlighted the critical importance of reopening the pass promptly for both civilian and military supply lines.
