Why in news? The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) opened the strategic Zojila Pass located in the Greater Himalayan Range at an altitude opened in record 68 days

as compared to 73 days last year and 160-180 days in the past.

Highlights:

• The pass would normally be closed by October or November annually and reopened in April or May.
• 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.
• Early opening of Zojila and Razdan Passes will facilitate the augmentation of the supply of essential goods and services for the people of Ladakh and Gurez Valley.

About Zojila Pass

• Zojila Pass is a high mountain pass in the Himalayas.
• It is in the Indian Union territory of Ladakh, Kargil district, Kashmir.
• It provides a vital link between Ladakh and the Kashmir Valley
• Located in the Dras subdivision, the pass connects the Kashmir Valley to its west with the Dras and Suru valleys to its northeast and the Indus valley further east

As of late 2022, an all-weather Zoji-la Tunnel is under construction to mitigate seasonal road blockages due to heavy snowfall, When completed, it will be the longest bidirectional tunnel in Asia