BRO Sets Record As 30-Vehicle Convoy Crosses Zoji La, Restores Road Connectivity To Drass

In the previous year, the road was kept open until January, with the last vehicle passing from Sonamarg to Drass on January 7, 2023, and reopening in April 2023.

The Border Roads Organization (BRO) achieved a historic milestone on Monday (February 12) as a convoy of vehicles successfully traversed the Zoji La pass, connecting Srinagar to Drass. The critical road link to Ladakh, passing through the Zoji La at 11,575 feet, typically faces closures for about four months each year due to heavy snowfall.

However, this year, despite recent snowfall causing a seven-day blockage, the road has remained open, allowing the convoy of approximately 30 vehicles, carrying passengers and essential goods, to reach Drass.

This achievement stands as a record, marking the first time any vehicle has crossed the Zoji La pass during this period. In the previous year, the road was kept open until January, with the last vehicle passing from Sonamarg to Drass on January 7, 2023, and reopening in April 2023.

Despite this accomplishment, authorities have announced restrictions on civilian movement, permitting only controlled vehicle movement due to the Zoji La pass still being covered with more than 20 feet of snow at various locations.

Although there was some relief from the cold wave in Kashmir, minimum temperatures across the valley remained several degrees below freezing on Saturday. In the Gulmarg skiing resort in north Kashmir, temperatures fell to minus 7.0 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 8.6 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest place in the valley.

Kokernag and Qazigund towns in south Kashmir also recorded low temperatures at minus 3.7 degrees Celsius and minus 5.8 degrees Celsius, respectively. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 4.9 degrees Celsius. These temperatures, around four degrees below normal for this time of year, highlight the persistent cold wave in Kashmir.

Although the 40-day harshest winter period, known as 'Chilla-i-Kalan,' concluded earlier this week, the cold wave continues in Kashmir, transitioning into a 20-day 'Chilla-i-Khurd' (small cold), followed by a 10-day 'Chilla-i-Bachha' (baby cold).