Manali-Leh National Highway opened for vehicular traffic

SHIMLA: Manali-Leh Highway was thrown open for vehicular traffic today after it was closed for more than five months.

The road was closed for vehicles from December end and was reopened for vehicular traffic today after nearly seven months, Lt Gen R M Mittal, Director General Border Roads said.

Gen Mittal also inspected the road from Manali to Sarchu and praised the 38 BRTF, for accomplishing the Herculean task in record time.

The proposal to construct five tunnels between Rohtang Pass and Leh is under active consideration and a Detaied Projects Reports (DPR) are being prepared, he said.

Col RP Rajendra Commander 38 BRTF at Manali said that Manali to Leh road was closed on Oct 31, 2014 after the snowfall on Baralachla.

About two dozen snow clearing machines and over 300 experts were deployed for the clearance along 222-km stretch from Manali to Sarchu, he said.

The Manali-Spiti road would be opened within a week as the operations are in full swing, he said, adding that the snow clearance work has already been completed till Chotta Dhara and soon the mighty Kunzum Pass (4,550 meters) will also be opened for vehicular traffic soon.