The 3,528-metre high Himalayan Zojila Pass, which connects Kashmir with Ladakh, was opened on Thursday, March 16, footage shows, 68 days after it was closed in January.

In 2021, the pass was opened after a 110-day closure. Zojila Pass remained closed for 73 days in 2022. The pass would normally be closed by October or November annually and reopened in April or May.

Public relations officer Lt Col Emron Musavi said there has been a strategic requirement of minimising the closure during winter with a renewed focus on infrastructure and augmentation of connectivity to the northern borders.

He said BRO accordingly ensured the pass was kept open for traffic till as late as January 6, creating a new record.

“The advantage accrued by keeping the pass open till this late can be assessed by the fact that almost 13,500 vehicles crossed it between the end of November 2022 and January 6, 2023,” Musavi said.

This footage was filmed and produced 16 March 2023.

The 3,528-metre high Himalayan Zojila Pass, which connects Kashmir with Ladakh, was opened on Thursday, 68 days after it was closed in January. In 2021, the pass was opened after a 110-day closure. Zojila Pass remained closed for 73 days in 2022. The pass would normally be closed by October or November annually and reopened in April or May.

Public relations officer (defence) Lt Col Emron Musavi said there has been a strategic requirement of minimising the closure during winter with a renewed focus on infrastructure and augmentation of connectivity to the northern borders.

He said BRO accordingly ensured the pass was kept open for traffic till as late as January 6, creating a new record. “The advantage accrued by keeping the pass open till this late can be assessed by the fact that almost 13,500 vehicles crossed it between the end of November 2022 and January 6, 2023,” Musavi said.