Leh road restored, stranded persons allowed to move

Tribune News Service

Mandi, October 31

The Lahaul and Spiti administration has allowed one-way traffic on the Manali-Leh highway from Darcha towards Leh paving the way for evacuation of stranded people.

A large number of people had been stranded in Lahaul and Manali since October 17 due to the closure of Manali-Leh highway after heavy snowfall near the Baralacha pass. As the Border Roads Organisation has restored the highway as many as 136 persons in 76 vehicles moved towards Leh from the Darcha check post.

Deputy Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said, “There is forecast of inclement weather from November 2. The Manali-Leh highway and the Gramphu-Kaza highway which have Baralacha and Kunzum Pass, en route may receive heavy snowfall anytime during the winter.”

“In view of public safety, we have decided to restrict the traffic movement on these routes from November 2. People are advised to avoid journey on these routes because the roads are slippery due to the deposit of snow on the ground,” the Deputy Commissioner added.