Zoji la Pass opened for civilian traffic on Friday

Zoji la Pass has been opened for civilian traffic yesterday. Defence Ministry said in a release that the first civilian convoy comprising 560 vehicles carrying fresh supplies, medicines and other essential items and passenger vehicles crossed over to Ladakh from Sonamarg.

         

Border Roads Organisation, BRO established the unprecedented breakthrough on the gateway connect between Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir on 19th of this month when the first Trial Convoy was flagged off by DGBR, Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry from Zoji la to Ladakh.



For the first time in over six decades, the Zoji la Pass faced a closure for only 73 days, as against an average of 150 days. 

Known as the “Mountain Pass of Blizzards”, Zoji la is located in Drass, Ladakh at an altitude above 11 thousand 650 feet. It remains closed for the major part of the winter season. This year, BRO kept it open till 4th January, which is an accomplishment.

 

Various precautionary measures were put in place by BRO before the road was declared open for traffic.