From staying closed for as many as 110 days in 2021, the Zojila Pass could not be accessed for only a record 32 days this year, thanks to the untiring efforts of the Border Roads Organisation.

The central government on Tuesday made the announcement, while acknowledging the drastic reduction of the time for which this lifeline remains closed. It said 2025 was the first year when the Zojila Pass was open as late as February.

A senior government official told CNN-News18 that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constantly made efforts to reduce the closure period in recent years. “It was 110 days in 2021, 68 days in 2023, 35 days in 2024, and only 32 days this year. The BRO’s efforts have resulted in 16 such passes opening in record time, not only helping to save an enormous amount but, in terms of air sustenance to cut-off areas, bringing economic and strategic advantages. India depends on air operations to reach cut-off border areas in J&K as well as Ladakh because many crucial passes close in winter," the official said.

This year, it faced an unusually short but intense closure period due to relentless snowfall caused by a western disturbance from February 27 to March 16. The sheer volume of accumulated snow posed a formidable challenge.

According to the Centre, BRO personnel – working under extreme conditions while battling sub-zero temperatures,high-velocityy winds, and avalanche-prone terrain – cleared the snow in a record 15 days between March 17 and 31.

Zojila Pass, an important mountain pass linking Ladakh to Kashmir and beyond, is located at an elevation of 11,575 feet. It is one of the most critical and challenging high-altitude passes in the world.

Every year, the formidable pass experiences heavy snowfall, forcing its closure during the harsh winter months. This temporary closure not only impacts the movement of troops and essential supplies but also disrupts the daily lives of the local population in Ladakh, which depends on it for trade, medical support, and economic activity.

“Due to technological advancements, improved snow-clearance techniques and the relentless efforts of BRO, this closure period has been drastically reduced from about six months a few decades ago to a few weeks now," the government said in a statement.

Earlier, the Zojila Pass was generally closed every year for more than 150 days on average due to heavy snow. It would usually close in mid-November and open for traffic in April.

But now, the BRO is working round the year to remove the snow and keep the pass open for maximum time possible. A 14-km long tunnel is expected to be completed by 2027 to ensure all-weather connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.