Meeting on the early opening of Zojila and Rohtang passes was convened by Defense Secretary, Govt. of India on January 28. 

Umang Narula, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh; Sanjeev Ranjan, Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, representatives of Border Roads Organization, SASE, Chandigarh, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation, representatives of the Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Baseer-ul-haq Choudhary, DC Kargil were present.

Ladakh administration strongly advocated the early opening of the Zojila pass because of the difficulties faced by the people of Ladakh due to closure of roads during winter. 

Various other issues including preparation of a detailed SOP for opening and closure of the Srinagar- Leh National Highway to compress the window of road closure, action plan for opening of the Zojila pass involving all stakeholders, expediting the construction of the Zojila tunnel, procurement of additional machinery and equipment for snow clearance, construction of avalanche Galleries and snow sheds, better technology for pre-icing and post-icing treatment were discussed.
 
Also, the issues of expediting work on the Shinkun-la Padum-Nimmu road were discussed which is carried out at a very slow pace. The completion of the road will prove a lifeline for Zanskar region which remains cut off for about six months in a year.

The roads will help in evacuating patients and supply of essential commodities along with a boost to the tourism sector in Kargil district.