bro-opens-strategic-zojila-pass-in-record-68-days

 

 

  • The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Thursday opened the strategic Zojila Pass located in the Greater Himalayan Range at an altitude of 11,650 feet, which acts as a gateway between the Union Territories of Ladakh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
  • “Since the first week of February, snow clearance operations were undertaken from both sides of the pass by Project Beacon and Vijayak, located in J&K and Ladakh, respectively,” a statement by the Defence Ministry said.

 

What is Zoji La?

  • Zoji La is a high mountain pass located in the Kargil district of Ladakh.
  • The pass links Leh and Srinagar and provides an important link between Union Territories of Ladakh and Kashmir.
  • Zoji la is known as the “Mountain Pass of Blizzards”.
  • In 2018, the Zojila tunnel project was launched. The tunnel is Asia's longest and strategic bi-directional tunnel, which will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh

 

Project Beacon and Project Vijayak

What is the News?

  • Border Roads Organisation(BRO) through its frontline projects – Vijayak and Beacon has created a new record by keeping the Zoji La pass on the Srinagar–Leh National Highway open for vehicular traffic.

What is Project Beacon?

  • It was launched in the 1960’s. This is the oldest project of the BRO. The project currently looks after road infrastructure development and maintenance in the important areas of Kashmir.

What is Project Vijayak?

  • It was launched by BRO in 2010. Project Vijayak along with Project Himank are responsible for the construction and maintenance of critical road infrastructure in Ladakh.

What are the other important projects of BRO?

  • Project DANTAK:
    • It was established in 1961 with the objective of developing roads, telecommunication networks and other such landmark infrastructure-related projects in Bhutan.
  • Project Sampark:
    • It was raised by BRO in 1975.
    • It looks after the construction, improvement and maintenance of strategic roads in the border district of Jammu, Kathua, Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri, Reasi and Poonch.