Manali-Keylong road reopened
Abhinav Vashisht
KULLU, FEBRUARY 7
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) cleared snow to restore the road connectivity between Manali and Keylong via Atal Tunnel today. The tunnel had been shut for vehicles since February 3 after the region witnessed snowfall.
The BRO started snow- clearing operation on February 5 and restored the traffic between Manali and Keylong via Atal Tunnel.
The Lahaul and Spiti district administration has issued advisory that only four-wheel drive vehicles will be allowed to move in view of the prevalent conditions. The entire area from the Solang valley in Kullu up to Tandi in Lahaul-Spiti is avalanche-prone and the police have advised the commuters to be cautious.
The opening of the road will provide access to tourists to go to the Lahaul valley where snow festival is going on. Now the locals are also hopeful that the tourist vehicles would be allowed to cross the tunnel. There is lots of craze among the tourists to witness the engineering marvel. Lahaul valley is also experiencing tourist footfall for the first time during winters, largely due to Atal Tunnel.
Lahaul and Spiti Superintendent of Police Manav Verma said only 4X4 vehicles would be allowed till the road condition became more favourable. He advised the residents to avoid travelling on the road as it was risky in the prevailing conditions. He urged the commuters to travel only between 11 am and 4 pm. The commuters have been advised to inform the authorities before traveling for their safety.
The BRO officials said the snow removal task from Manali up to Keylong hadbeen accomplished. They said that all roads in the Lahaul valley had also been cleared of snow.
Tourism stakeholders said adequate infrastructure should be developed to keep the approach roads to the tunnel clear for all types of vehicles. They said that avalanche protection barricades could be set up at vulnerable areas for safety of the commuters. Chemicals can be sprinkled on the road to prevent icing and skidding of vehicles.
