Landslide blocks Manali- Rohtang highway

MC Thakur

MANALI, APRIL 24

Even though Border Roads Organization (BRO) has cleared snow from Rohtang Pass connecting Manali with Lahaul valley, a massive landslide near Beas Nullah has blocked the highway yesterday. Efforts are being put to clear the debris on war footings.

Fresh snowfall on higher hills, including Rohtang Pass, has disrupted the BROs snow-clearing operation but organization is confident that the vehicles will be able to cross Rohtang soon after the landslide is cleared. The officials said that the landslide was so massive that it had damaged the road completely.

Officiating commander, 38 Border Road Task Force, Lt. Col, Mayank Mehta, said a massive landslide near Beas Nullah, has blocked the Manali- Rohtang Road. “The landslide is massive and it has damaged a large chunk of road. We have cleared snow from the Manali-Keylong highway but the vehicles can ply only after the debris caused by the landslide are cleared”, he said.

Winter snowfall had blocked the highway and the BRO had begun snow clearing in March. The BRO removed huge piles of snow to connect Lahaul with Kullu districts. Lt Col Mehta added that officers and jawans worked day and night to clear snow and join Lahaul valley with Manali.

The organization is now concentrating of widening of the road to provide enough space for two vehicles to pass.

One of the BRO team is clearing snow from the Keylong-Sarchu highway. Vehicles in emergency would be able to cross Rohtang in a few days but general traffic will be allowed only after ensuring safety and enough space for parking at Rohtang.