Leh: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has adopted the new technology of laying “Interlocking Concrete Blocks (ILCBs)” along the Zojila Pass—a lynchpin of all-weather connectivity to Ladakh—to provide better riding surface and expediting snow clearance operations in winters.
Zojila Pass, located at an altitude of about 12,000 ft (3,530 meters) serves as the gateway to Ladakh region, (now a Union Territory). It is one of the arid and coldest deserts in the world.
With aggressive China on its vast borders, Zojila—the fourth highest Pass in the country, is emerging as a strategically important road. It also serves as an important and only connecting link between Ladakh and Kashmir.
“The BRO is focussing on new technology for better roads. M50, Interlocking Concrete Blocks will not only provide a better riding surface but are also better suited for snow clearance operations, as they are more wear resistant. The areas around the famed Zojila Pass are soon going to wear a new look with the concrete blocks being laid by the Project Vijayak,” reveals a senior official of the Organisation.
With the help of heavy machinery, the ILCBs are also being laid at other important road links in the Union Territory of Ladakh as these blocks are not only faster to lay but also have a long term economic payoffs.
Pertinently, the BRO has its reach in the remotest border areas and besides addressing strategic needs, it has been instrumental in socio-economic upliftment of the Northern and Eastern borders. This has resulted in increased tourist influx in these scenic locations, hitherto inaccessible.
The official says the new technology is being used for improved quality of roads in snow-affected areas along the Ladakh region. “ILCBs are also being laid at Changla Top on road. It will have long term economic payoffs besides these are also faster to lay. It will help the BRO to complete road construction works at better pace besides snow clearance projects will also be completed in a short possible time,” he adds.
He says the Project Vijayak is executing multiple works on the Zojila-Kargil-Leh road, use of ILCBs at the Pass, simultaneous construction of a series of Bridges and construction of new roads.
“We have suitably incorporated roads Safety aspects to make the drive of highway users as memorable as the heavenly sights that Ladakh has to offer,” he adds.
During the winter, the temperature dips to minus 40 degrees Celsius and the oxygen level on all high passes is almost 50 per cent less than at normal places.
The BRO’s roads serve the twin purpose of improving access for the forces and their war machines and boosting economic development in far-flung areas.
Last year, the BRO had proposed to collect toll at three spots on the Srinagar-Leh highway passing through Zojila, where a tunnel is under construction. These are Minamarg, 10 km from Zojila towards Kargil; Mulbekh, 39km from Kargil towards Leh; and near the confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers, some 35 km before Leh.
