BRO restores Manali-Leh Highway for traffic

Dipender Manta
Tribune News Service
Mandi, March 28

Border Roads Organisation (BRO) authority has restored the 425 km long Manali-Leh Highway on Sunday which would provide access to military and common civilians.

The first convoy of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) bowsers was flagged from the Himachal side by Stanzin Chosphel, Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC). This was in the presence of BRO officials after they announced the opening of this highway.

Despite the many challenges this year, the BRO has managed to restore this highway more than one-and-a-half-month ahead of schedule.

Generally, the Leh Highway remains closed for about six months during the winters, cutting off Ladhak from the rest of the country.

This makes the region dependent on supplies via aerial route.

Because of the ongoing border tension with China, this year the Union Government had asked the BRO to restore the highway as soon as possible.

As a result, the BRO had started a snow clearance operation between Manali to Leh in mid-February, simultaneously clearing four important passes along the route viz Baralachla (16,047 ft), Nakeela (16,170 ft), Lachungla (16,616 ft) and Tanglangla (17,582 ft).

In order to increase attack points, a strategy was formed, and therefore,  Baralachla and Tanglangla were addressed from both sides.

According to sources with the BRO—this year—the latest hi-tech machinery was swiftly inducted, and BRO teams worked relentlessly day and night to provide early productivity.

The dynamics were different this year with the inauguration of Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, and there was no necessity of opening Rohtang Pass as the Lahaul valley remains connected throughout the winters via Atal tunnel.

This facilitated the complete focus of BRO to be diverted for the opening of Baralachala with additional resources to restore connectivity at the earliest.

According to sources, the opening of Baralachala Pass was formulated as a two-pronged thrust to commence, simultaneously, from two sides one from Patsio to Baralachla and the second point from Sarchu to Baralachala.

With the opening of the Manali-Leh highway, the residents of Lahaul valley have been delighted, who are expecting a huge tourist influx in the valley in the coming days.

The snow festival is being celebrated in Lahaul valley these days to attract tourists here.

The people of Lahaul and Ladakh have conveyed their gratitude to Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhary, VSM, DGBR and applauded the tremendous efforts put in by BRO to restore this highway in time.