Manali-Keylong road reopens

MC Thakur

MANALI, MAY 10

After clearing snow on the 13,050-ft-high Rohtang Pass, gateway to Lahaul-Spiti, the BRO reopened the Manali- Keylong highway to vehicular traffic on Thursday.

SDM, Manali, Raman Gharsangi said the residents of the Lahaul valley would be allowed to cross the Rohtang Pass. The vehicular traffic from Manali would move first towards Keylong in the early hours of the day followed by the vehicular traffic from the Lahaul valley to Kullu, he added.

The BRO has requested the district administration to introduce the one-way traffic system to move in and out of the Lahaul valley. This system will continue until the BRO completes the road widening work at Rohtang Pass.

The highway at Rohtang has become narrow after the recent snowfall.

Tourist vehicles will be allowed beyond Marhi only when adequate parking facilities, eco-friendly toilets and drinking water facilities will be available. The arrangement of the proper garbage collection at Rohtang Pass will also be made.

The HRTC bus service between the Lahaul valley and Kullu will also resume from Friday morning.

The BRO has a small stretch between Baralacha Pass and Sarchu to clear the snow. The entire Manali-Leh highway is expected to be thrown open for vehicular traffic in the next few days.