Specific Information Service
NEW DELHI: Despite heavy snowfall at Zojila, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Personnel deployed below the Venture Beacon unfettered motion of transport by maintaining the strategic move open and facilitated connectivity to Ladakh area. Zojila Cross positioned at an altitude of 11643 ft on Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri street is the lifeline between Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.
The Military in a press release on Wednesday stated, “Venture Beacon has ensured connectivity for strategic necessities of Defence forces and in addition the native inhabitants.” BRO personnel ensured protected passage of 175 automobiles to cross over the move since 01 Jan, added the Military.
The climate is once more turning dangerous with “The Snowfall within the final two- three days has resulted in slippery street situations alongside Zojila Cross on Srinagar – Leh freeway inflicting disruption to site visitors motion.”
The Cross usually closes by mid-November yearly, with the onset of winters when the temperatures dip to sub zero levels and opens solely by the tip of April the following yr.
Whereas Final yr Zojila Cross was stored open until 31 Dec 2020, nonetheless this yr as a consequence of concerted efforts of Venture Beacon, the trafficability was maintained for the primary time ever within the month of January with pre-planning and preparations.
“Six groups had been deployed at totally different places and labored 24×7 to maintain the street open throughout extraordinarily difficult situations.” stated the Military.
Greater than 20 heavy responsibility tools together with 4 state-of-the-art Snow Cutters had been employed. Detachments of Venture Beacon with prepositioned tools positioned at Gumri, Bajri Nallah, Baltal, Sonamarg and Gagangir performed key roles in opening of the Cross regardless of the inclement climate situations.
Zojila Cross has its personal distinctive challenges of freezing temperatures and lack of oxygen and frequent avalanches.
Zojila is a strategic move that gives the very important hyperlink between Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.
Ladakh shares disputed borders with Pakistan and China with areas resembling Kargil, Siachen, Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) falling on this space. Aside from air routes, Ladakh is linked by solely two land routes with the remainder of India and these are 434 km Srinagar-Leh street and 475 km Manali-Leh street passing by Sarchu.
