BRO starts clearing snow from Manali-Leh highway

Our Correspondent

MANALI, MARCH 23

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has started the snow-clearing operation on the 475-km Manali-Leh road at Rahla, 27 km from here, today.

Lt Col Mayank Mehta said massive efforts were being made to open the Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul-Spiti district, in May. A puja was performed by BRO officers and jawans at Gulaba.

He further said four snow-clearing teams were deployed for opening of the 222-km Manali-Sarchu section, with the help of snow-cutters, dozers and JCB machines. The first team from Manali was clearing the thick layer of snow from Rahla, the second team was clearing snow from Sissu-Khoksar and Rohtang Pass while two teams were also deployed in Lahaul valley. The snow-clearing operation was also delayed due to inclement weather, he added. The Manali-Leh highway was crucial in transporting arms, ammunition and food for the Army in the border district of Leh-Ladakh. The opening of the Rohtang Pass for vehicular traffic will bring great relief to the population of the Lahaul-Spiti valley.