The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has reopened the strategic 485 km-long Manali-Leh highway for traffic after 8 months, reports Amar Ujala. Due to the heavy snowfall this year, the route opened more than 22 days late compared to the previous year.
The BRO had last week cleared the snow at Bara-lacha pass but due to the narrow turns and lack of the passing places to accommodate two-way traffic, it had not allowed the passage of vehicles on the road.
According to the report, BRO commander Uma Shankar Singh informed that the Manali-Leh highway had been opened for the traffic from today (10 June). He asked the district administration to inspect the road and inform the BRO if they witness any problem on the route, so that the organisation can fix it.
Meanwhile, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation has also started its electric bus service to the Rohtang pass from today (10 June). As per the report, four electric buses have been sent to the Rohtang pass in the first phase.
The Manali-Leh highway is strategically important as it is used for the supply of equipments and other essential items for military along the Chinese as well as Pakistani border. The road is also used by the tourists travelling to the Leh and surrounding places in Jammu and Kashmir.