BRO completes high-altitude rescue at Chatergala Pass in J&K, clears 38 km of snow-bound road
The Border Roads Organisation under Project Sampark cleared about 38 km of snow-covered road on the Bhaderwah–Chatergala axis and evacuated 20 civilians and 40 troops from Chatergala Pass (10,500 ft) in Jammu region, completing the mission on 26 January 2026 with zero casualties.
Summary
Heavy snowfall on 23 January 2026 cut off the Bhaderwah–Chatergala axis in Jammu region. The 118 Road Construction Company of 35 Border Roads Task Force, under Project Sampark, began snow clearance on 24 January and worked for nearly 40 hours, clearing about 38 km of road buried under 5–6 feet of snow. The route opened on the evening of 25 January, enabling evacuation of 20 stranded civilians and 40 troops of 4 Rashtriya Rifles. The mission ended at 02:30 hrs on 26 January with zero casualties, in coordination with the Army.
Key facts
- Location
- Chatergala Pass (10,500 ft), Bhaderwah–Chatergala axis, Jammu region
- Project
- Project Sampark, BRO
- Unit
- 118 RCC of 35 Border Roads Task Force
- Work
- ~38 km cleared of 5–6 ft snow in ~40 hours
- Evacuated
- 20 civilians and 40 troops of 4 Rashtriya Rifles
- Completed
- 02:30 hrs, 26 January 2026; zero casualties
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Chatergala Pass, where BRO carried out a snow rescue in January 2026, lies on which axis in Jammu region?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Bhaderwah–Chatergala
PIB (Defence): Chatergala Pass at 10,500 ft on the Bhaderwah–Chatergala axis in Jammu region.
Under which BRO project was the Chatergala Pass rescue and road restoration carried out?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Project Sampark
PIB (Defence): the operation was carried out under Project Sampark.