BRO awaits dry weather to clear Leh road of snow

MC Thakur

MANALI, MARCH 7

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will soon start the snow-clearing operation from the strategically important Manali-Leh highway.

Colonel AK Awasthi, BRO Commander, said they were waiting for the weather to turn favourable to start clearing snow.

He said the BRO wanted to first ensure that weather would remain dry and then they move their men and machine.

He further added that he would frame a strategy to clear snow in different stages. “Our prime motive is to connect Rohtang with Manali and Keylong. This way, thousands of residents of the Lahaul valley will get relief. Then we will move further towards Sarchu, 222 km from here,” he said.

Every year, the BRO starts clearing snow from Manali-Keylong-Leh highway in March.

So far, the high mountain passes, including Rohtang and Baralacha Pass, have received comparatively less snow. The Commander said some avalanches may have damaged the road at some places. He said the region might experience more snowfall till April and they were ready to face all weather vagaries.