Hero Image

Manali: BRO starts clearing snow

MANALI: While the continuing snowfall is adding to the thickness on the strategically important Manali-Leh highway, Border Roads Organization (BRO) has started its snow clearance work on the highway in multiple stages to meet the target of May end.


This year saw heaviest snowfall in many years and this has already delayed the road opening task by over two weeks.

BRO officials said that they would set a deadline to clear the roads completely off snow after March 23, as weather is predicted to be favourable after this and the team would get a chance assess the ground situation.

At the moment, though a team of 38 Border Road Task Force (38 BRTF) is advancing towards Rohtang pass from Manali and will reach Gulaba on Monday or Tuesday, continuous snowfall us forcing the team to clear the snow repeatedly. Another team is advancing from Stingri towards Sissu in Lahaul valley.

“We have made multiple attack points to accomplish the task. Currently weather is inclement. We will set a deadline on March 22 or March 23 after assessing the conditions and will work hard to chase the target,” said Lt Col Jaipal Singh, officiating commander, 38 BRTF.

Prolonged winter season is posing a challenge to BRO. It will be very difficult for the jawans to resume traffic on the highway by the end of May. The snow cutters are struggling to cut seven to eight feet of snow in lower portion of Gulaba, which is at an altitude of about 8,000ft. It will take a long time for machines to reach 13,050ft high Rohtang pass and 16,050ft high Baralacha pass.

“Safety of men and machines is our prime concern. The region has experienced very heavy snow in many years. We may see over 30ft of snow beyond Marhi. The highway has been hit by many avalanches. Still, morale of our men is high and we shall open the road on time,” Singh added.

Usually, Manali-Leh road opens for vehicular traffic by the end of May or the first week of June. BRO used to start its snow clearance operation from Gulaba in the first week of March. This year, BRO is expected to start clearing the snow after a puja towards the end of this month.

READ ON APP