BRO battles frequent snowfall to reopen Manali-Leh highway
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has made considerable progress in clearing snow along the Manali-Leh highway, reaching up to Zingzingbar beyond Darcha in Lahaul and Spiti district. However, frequent snowfall and harsh weather conditions are delaying complete restoration of this crucial route, which connects Himachal Pradesh with Ladakh.
Traditionally, the Manali-Leh highway is opened to traffic by late April, with last year’s reopening recorded on April 23. This year, however, BRO officials anticipate delay owing to prolonged winter conditions and fresh snowfall that continue to hamper snow-clearing efforts.
The 70 Road Construction Company (RCC) unit of the BRO has deployed 12 heavy machines and is pushing forward aggressively from the Darcha side. They have managed to clear snow up to Zingzingbar — a location roughly 12 kilometres short of the formidable 15,910-foot-high Baralacha La. From this point, nearly 57 kilometres of snow-covered road still remains to be cleared before reaching Sarchu, a vital milestone en route Ladakh.
“Due to heavy snow accumulation and ongoing snowfall, daytime temperatures in the region remain well below zero, complicating operations,” said a BRO official. The freezing conditions are not only slowing down machinery but also posing a serious challenge to the personnel engaged in snow-clearing efforts.
On the Ladakh side, Project Himank — another BRO unit — is working from the Sarchu onwards to ensure connectivity from both ends of the highway. This coordinated approach aims to expedite the reopening of this strategically significant route.
Snow clearance along the Manali-Leh highway typically begins in March, starting from Jispa and progressing through Darcha towards Sarchu. This year, however, massive snow walls beyond Darcha and frequent fresh snowfalls have delayed the process.
The Manali-Leh road serves not just as a lifeline for military logistics but is also a major artery for local transportation and tourism. With continued efforts from both the 70 RCC and Project Himank teams, officials remain optimistic about reopening the route in the coming weeks depending on the weather conditions.
