Indian Army unfurls tricolour in Galwan valley on January 1
Gearing up to meet any threat from China in the Ladakh region, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for the first time opened the Zozi-La (mountain pass) in January to ensure sustained logistical support to the front line troops on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
This major achievement came against the backdrop of the ongoing stand-off in eastern Ladakh between India and China for the nearly last two years. The Zozi La at a height of 11,649 feet connects Ladakh with the rest of the country and remains blocked with snow for at least three to four months during winters.
In another development, the Indian Army unfurled the national flag in the Galwan valley on New Year’s Day. The photographs of the event were released on Tuesday, three days after the Chinese released pictures of its troops hoisting their flag on their side in the Galwan valley.
The photographs of the Indian troops holding the flag were also posted by Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju on Twitter with the caption “brave Indian Army soldiers in Galwan Valley on the occasion of #NewYear2022.”
In one of the photos, released by sources in the Indian security establishment, around 30 Indian soldiers from the Dogra Regiment were seen with the national flag.
Another photo showed the group with four of them holding the national flag and another tri-colour flying high on a flagpole adjacent to a temporary observation post. The photographs were of January 1 in the Galwan Valley, sources said here.
The Indian and Chinese troops exchanged sweets and greetings at 10 border points along the LAC including in eastern Ladakh and North Sikkim on January 1.
Giving details about Zozi La, officials said it will provide a boost to strategic connectivity in the Ladakh region. As many as 72 vehicles crossed the mountain pass for the first time ever on January 2.
The development is a stellar achievement for the BRO, as it will provide the crucial link between the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh even during the peak winter season. The BRO personnel had to work in temperatures dipping below minus ten besides blizzards and stiff wind.
Covered under project Vijayak, the Zoji La pass is normally closed during the winter months. The BRO has been working on extending the winter operations of the pass by deploying equipment and personnel.
Keeping Zoji La pass open in January is a daunting task and comes as a continuation of the BRO’s effort to keep Zoji La open in December and the winter months that follow.
The BRO and other agencies are engaged in the construction of the 14.2 km long Zoji La road tunnel under the mountain pass. Inaugurated in 2018, the tunnel, once ready will reduce the travel time of over three hours to just 15 minutes.
Ladakh administration and the locals lauded the efforts that this additional window reduces the logistic burden on the UT administration and helps the local inhabitants to stock additional rations and supplies to brave the impending harsh winters.
In the first three days of 2022, about 178 vehicles have been able to transit through the pass by the collective assistance of the BRO and the Police personnel.
The numbers are significant because after the temperatures plummet to Minus 20 degree centigrade, the road faced assault from frost and blizzard, which can cause accidents.