Srinagar: The strategic 434 km long Srinagar-Leh highway was thrown open by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in a record 68 days, officials said Thursday.
“It was due to the hard work of BRO officials and men that we were able to throw the pass open in a record number of 68 days. For the past three years, we have been breaking our own records,” Director General Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Lt General Rajeev Chaudhary said.
“BRO officials and men are fully acclimatised and familiar with the area. No equipment was damaged during the road opening process.”
He said the locals who work with the BRO are being provided with adequate wages, shelter and food besides warm clothes. “Some people are with us for 25 years. We are like a family,” the DG BRO said.
He said that the early opening of this road helps save Rs 7 crore a day for the government. “This road helps to send defence equipment including guns, bullets and tanks besides troops to Ladakh.
