BRO starts clearing snow between Manali, Palchan

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Manali, January 19

To provide relief to the residents of snowbound area from Manali ahead toward Solang and Gulaba, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) authorities have begun snow clearance work on the Leh highway between Manali and Palchan to restore the normal traffic on the road, which was blocked because of recent heavy snowfall in the region three days back.

Earlier, right after the snowfall, the BRO authorities had opened the road for single-lane traffic movement from Manali ahead toward the Solang valley, but heavy rush of vehicles may cause trouble for smooth traffic in the coming days.

Now the BRO authorities have started snow-clearance operation to widen the road for smooth traffic movement from Manali ahead up to Solang Nullah and Kothi and deployed its workforce and machinery in the area.

Commander, BRO, AK Awasthi said here today that “we were trying to open the road for double-lane vehicle movement and snow-clearance operation is underway.”

“Four machines, including snow cutter, Dozer and JCB, were deployed along with workforce in the snow-clearance operation between Manali and Palchan. The entire area has been covered under thick blanket of snow. We will be able to clear it in the next few days if weather remains good for work,” he added.

Area residents appreciated the efforts of the BRO and said it would be great relief for them because without transportation facility life had come to a standstill.

Area residents, especially village women, are grabbing the opportunity to reap good business in the tourist season because of snowfall this time. They gather near Nehru Kund to provide local attire to the tourists.

For public safety, the district administration has allowed tourists vehicles up to the Nehru Kund snow point and if weather becomes good in the coming days then the authorities will allow the tourists toward Solang and Gulaba for snow activity.

Snowfall has crippled normal life in hilly areas of the state and residents living in tribal districts of Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu and Mandi are feeling the brunt of it.

Still many villages of these three districts are reeling under darkness as the electricity supply was snapped on January 7 and roads were blocked because of snowfall.

In Lahaul and Spiti roads have been completely closed and residents are demanding flight service to the district. More than 300 persons of the district have sought tickets, but bad weather is hampering the flight service.