Work begins to rescue 46 stranded at Koksar

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Manali, November 20

The Border Roads Organisation has started snow clearance operation on the Manali-Leh highway to evacuate 46 people, who had been left stranded for the past last three days at Koksar rescue post after 13,050 feet high Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul, got blocked because of sudden heavy snowfall.

Weather today relented a bit in the region after three days of snowfall and soldiers of the BRO were engaged in snow-clearance operation from both Marhi and Koksar side to connect the Rohtang Pass enabling it for traffic movement.

Talking to The Tribune here today, BRO Commander AK Awasthi said, “Despite inclement weather situation in the region we have engaged our team in snow clearance from both Lahaul and Manali side to connect the Rohtang Pass and evacuate the stranded people”.

“The temperature was below minus degree in the area today and we are hoping to restore the road within a day or two”, he said.

“We have requested the district administration to stop normal traffic movement on the Manali-Leh highway because it is prone to snowfall after November 15 onward. Due to bad weather and tough topographical situations it is not easy to restore the road during winter, when Rohtang receives heavy snowfall up to 10 to 15 feet high snow” he remarked.

“This time we are opening the Rohtang Pass to evacuate the stranded 46 people and few vehicles from Lahaul side in the region”, BRO commander said.

“The road is prone to accident because of snow and it can’t be thrown open for normal traffic. We again request the district administration of Kullu and Lahaul Spiti to stop normal traffic on this route otherwise it may prove disastrous for the visitors”, he said.