| BRO makes it possible on snow bound Zojila Pass, facilitates movement of over 4000 military, civil vehicles in December | | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 1: Making it possible in winter season especially on snow bound Zojila Pass, Border Road Organisation has facilitated movement of over 4000 vehicles including military and civil in the month of December last year.
Army sources here on Friday said that located at a height of 11650 feet, Zojila is a strategic pass that provides vital link between Kashmir Valley and Ladakh and is the key to operational preparedness of the Armed Forces. "The success of the extended opening can be gauged from the fact that from December 1 to 31, over 4000 military and civil vehicles crossed Zojila," they said. Sources said that in the Diamond Jubilee year of its inception, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has added another feather in its already studded cap wherein Project Beacon and Vijayak has successfully undertaken the daunting challenge of extending the closure of Zojila Pass till Dec 31, 2020.
"The Pass normally closes by end- November every year, with the onset of winters when the temperatures dip to sub zero degrees," they said and added that the problems are further compounded due to lack of oxygen and ice formation on the road surface, making it extremely risky for traffic.
In the backdrop of present security dynamics there was a need felt to keep Zojila open till Dec 31, 2020, adding, "the challenge involved round the clock deployment of resources for snow clearance, keeping the troops motivated and the equipment roadworthy in extreme cold climate and harsh terrain." Every individual associated with the operation rose to the challenge and achieved what had not been attempted earlier. Additional detachments were formed and situated at critical points to undertake round the clock snow clearance, operating in temperatures dipping to minus 15 degrees.
"The local Army Formations and Civil Administration also contributed by ensuring the critical medical cover, ready availability of Avalanche Rescue Teams and traffic management," they said. |
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