Indian Oil Corporation Limited on Tuesday said it has completed its highest-ever advance winter stocking operation, supplying more than 100,000 kilolitres of petroleum products to Ladakh ahead of the annual winter shutdown. Every year, road access to Ladakh remains closed from December to April due to heavy snowfall at high-altitude mountain passes such as Zojila and Rohtang. To ensure uninterrupted availability of fuel during this period, Indian Oil undertakes advance stocking before winter sets in, the company said. The supplies are critical not only for civilian needs but also for meeting the strategic requirements of the Indian Army stationed in the region. Indian Oil’s tanker drivers and field teams operate along some of the toughest fuel supply routes in the world, covering distances of around 1,600 to 2,000 km per trip over seven to eight days. The operation is carried out under extreme conditions, with temperatures dropping to minus 20 degrees Celsius, alongside challenges such as heavy snowfall, low oxygen levels and narrow mountain roads. Logistics are further complicated by frequent weather-related disruptions on National Highway-44, seasonal congestion during the Amarnath Yatra and peak apple transportation periods. This year, the operation faced additional hurdles following a cloudburst in Ramban district on April 20, which triggered flash floods and landslides, temporarily trapping Indian Oil tankers and disrupting traffic on NH-44. Fuel supplies were also maintained during security-related restrictions after the Pahalgam incident on April 22 and under blackout conditions, the company said. Indian Oil Chairman Arvinder Singh Sahney interacted with tanker drivers to boost morale and acknowledge their efforts, reiterating that the company’s motto, “Pehle Indian, Phir Oil”, reflects its commitment to placing national service above all else. With the completion of this record winter stocking exercise, Indian Oil said it has once again reinforced its role in ensuring fuel security in some of India’s most remote and challenging regions.