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Tribune News Service
Mandi, May 21
Inclement weather has hampered the snow-clearing work on the Manali-Leh National Highway till Sarchu Pass (14,500 feet), the border of the state and Jammu and Kashmir, where the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is struggling hard to open the route.
The highway is strategically important in the region which is used by the Army to supply goods to its forces in Leh and Ladakh.
According to a BRO official, the workforce has reached near Baralacha Pass (16,043 feet) where heaps of snow were observed and it was struggling hard to move ahead towards Sarchu Pass.
Earlier, the BRO was hopeful to clear the highway till Sarchu Pass by May 25 but the inclement weather has marred the hope of accomplishing the task in a stipulated time.
BRO Commander Mayank Mehta said, “Due to bad weather in last two days, there was snowing in the region, however, our workforce continued in the snow clearance operation.”
“We have reached Baralacha Pass where heaps of snow was observed and it will take more than one week to clear the route up to Sarchu,” he added.
Tourists throng Manali
Manali: To beat the scorching heat of the plains, a large number of tourists are visiting Manali every day. Tourist vehicles are allowed up to Marhi, 35 km from here, on the Manali-Rohtang road.Marhi and Beas Nullah, which is known as the snowpoint, has turned into an attraction for tourists.
Marhi, about 15 km short of the Rohtang Pass, lies one of the most picturesque places in the region.
A large number of tourists were also seen thronging the nearby tourists places like Hidimba Devi temple, Manu temple, Buddhist monasteries and Vashisht hot water springs. — OC
Highway strategically important
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