Tag: road to leh

Over hundred villages of snow-bound Lahaul valley have got freedom from snow-cage after four-month-long period on Wednesday late night when snow cutters from either side of Rohtang met at Kilometer-55 landmark beyond Rohtang top. Keylong in Lahaul has been linked to Manali by 115-km-long highway and some vehicles from Manali crossed Rohtang pass on Thursday morning. Despite facing bad weather conditions for most of the time, Border Roads Organization (BRO) has made record second time in a row for opening of the road on April 24. Last year the road was opened on the same day. Now thousands of people of Lahaul shall not have to depend on helicopter to go out of the valley in emergency situations. And now the movement of pedestrians would also stop on pass who are forced to put their lives in danger to reach their destinations. Although snow is cleared from the entire length of Manali-Keylong road, some stretches including Rohtang top, Rahni Nullah, are not safe for driving and BRO has requested people not to drive until road is declared safe for general traffic movement. “Road has been linked but it’s still risky for general movement. We are trying to make it safe for all types of vehicles,” BRO commander Colonel Yogesh Nair said. The work to clear snow from the highway was started on March 1 from Gulaba near Manali and BRO got success in its operation in 55 days. A dozen dozers and snow cutters were deployed to clear road from either side of Rohtang pass. While over 40 feet high snow was cut at Rahni Nullah, a constant thickness of 30 feet was seen after Rohtang towards Koksar in Lahaul. “Now putting all efforts for restoration of Manali-Leh road is our next operation,” said commander. Keylong-Leh road has been cleared