Inclement weather again delays reopening of Manali-Leh highway

The restoration work on the strategically important Manali-Leh highway has faced major delays this year due to inclement weather, pushing back its reopening well beyond the scheduled time. Last year, the BRO had restored the route on April 23, but this year heavy snowfall and unpredictable weather have hampered progress.

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Sources say that BRO teams have successfully reached Sarchu on the Manali-Leh highway. However, the BRO has not yet made any official announcement declaring the highway open to traffic.

In a development that sparked a controversy, a police vehicle from Lahaul reportedly made it to Sarchu but encountered snow on the return journey. A video that has since gone viral on social media shows a police officer accusing BRO workers of deliberately throwing snow onto the cleared road, allegedly to obstruct police movement. The BRO has strongly refuted the claim, clarifying that a snow avalanche had naturally occurred in the area, temporarily blocking the route again.

Rigzin Samphel Hayerpa, a tourism stakeholder of Lahaul valley, stated that “Tourism stakeholders in the Lahaul Valley, along with tourists planning trips to Ladakh, are anxiously awaiting the reopening of the highway. The delay has also raised concerns for the local economy as a significant number of youths in the valley depend on tourism for their livelihood.” According to official sources with the BRO, if the weather remains favourable, the highway is expected to be restored for civilian traffic within the next few days. The BRO continues to work in challenging conditions, including sub-zero temperatures, avalanche threats and unstable terrain to ensure the reopening of this vital route.

The Manali-Leh highway is not only vital for tourism but also a strategic corridor that connects Himachal Pradesh to the union territory of Ladakh. With summer approaching and travel season gaining momentum, stakeholders are hopeful of a swift reopening and official confirmation from the BRO in the coming days.