The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) recently reopened the strategic Zojila Pass that acts as a gateway between the union territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.
About Zojila Pass –
- Zojila Pass, also known as ‘The Mountain Pass of Blizzards’, is a strategic pass that connects Kashmir Valley to Ladakh.
- It is located on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh highway (NH-1) at a height of 11,650 feet.
- The pass remains closed for almost half of the year due to heavy snowfall.
- History –
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- It was the site of the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947-48.
- It was captured by militias aided by the Pakistan Army in 1848, with the ultimate aim of capturing Ladakh.
- However, the pass itself was captured by the Indian Army on 1st November 1948 in an assault codenamed Operation Bison.
What is Zojila Tunnel?
- Location — It is an under-construction tunnel situated at an altitude of 11,578 ft (around 3,500 metres) on the Srinagar-Leh Highway in Jammu and Kashmir.
- The tunnel would provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Leh on NH-1.
- Total Length — 14.15 km.
- It will be India’s longest road tunnel, and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel.
- It would be 9.5-meter wide and 7.57-meter high in the shape of a horseshoe.
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