Dipender Manta

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, June 26

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has started erecting avalanche protection structures from Palchan up to the south portal of the Atal Tunnel at Dhundhi on the Manali-Leh highway to provide safety to commuters during the winter. The BRO has identified 11 such sites, which are prone to snow avalanche.

According to sources, the BRO is erecting 16 layers of snow avalanche protection structures, which will minimise the threat. It is constructing three snow galleries and one viaduct to ensure safe movement of vehicles. The tunnel has become a big tourist attraction and witnesses a huge rush of visitors.

Due to the high altitude, the region gets heavy snowfall during winter, making journey risky. So, the BRO has decided to raise permanent avalanche protection structures. The structures are being constructed with the help of the Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE), which provides cutting-edge terrain intelligent solutions to the armed forces.

The Manali-Leh highway is strategically important, as it allows the Army an easy access to Ladakh.