The strategic 434-km long Srinagar-Leh national highway was re-opened for vehicular traffic on Sunday after remaining closed for nearly five months due to heavy snowfall in the area particularly Zojila Pass that connects the cold desert Ladakh region of the state with the rest of the country.
In a ceremony held at Zero Point (Zojila), the road wasofficially thrown open by General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15 Corps Lt Gen J SDhillon by flagging off a convoy in presence of Chief Engineers of projectBeacon and Vijayak of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) besides deputy commissionerKargil, SP Kargil, ADC Ganderbal and officials of Beacon, civil and police.
Beacon officials said that the road was thrown open in arecord time this year despite heavy accumulation of snow followed by severalavalanches enroute.
The Borders Roads Organization (BRO) which maintains thehighway passing through Zojila Pass (at an altitude of 11578 ft) had pressedmen and machinery to clear tons of snow from the highway from early March thisyear .
On the occasion, chief guest Lt Gen J S Dhillon hailed theefforts of the BRO including project Vijayak and Beacon for opening the road.
He said that the snow clearance work on the highway is themost dangerous and challenging task being undertaken by the BRO personnel.
“The task requires the highest level of courage, skill,physical as well as mental strength” the GOC said.
He said that with the reopening of the road it will boostsocio economic development and tourism sector here.
The Corps Commander saluted the dedication, hard work andcommitment of differently abled lead dozer driver at Zojila, Anayatullah(fondly called Tulla). Working with Project Beacon since 1993, he has earnedthe reputation of being the epitome of excellence.
Gen Dhillon in his message to the youth, urged them toremain motivated, study hard, stay away from drugs and respect their teachersand parents.
Chief Engineer Beacon also complimented the Beacon personnelfor their extreme efforts to clear the road.
“Braving the harsh weather conditions, the personnelinvolved in road opening had to face the dangers of avalanches, landslides andsnow blindness” he said.
“The snow accumulation at Zojila was 35-40 ft this year andeven between Drass and Zojila the average snow accumulation was 10-15 ft,” headded.
Meanwhile, several Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and somevehicles carrying fresh vegetables and other eatables were allowed to movetowards Kargil, marking the opening of the road.