Snow-clearing ops begin in Rohtang

Our Correspondent

Kullu, March 25

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Monday started the snow-clearance operation from the Manali side to open the 13,050-ft Rohtang Pass. A ‘puja’ was performed amid mild snow in Gulaba to commence the operation.

Commander, 38 Border Road Task Force (BRTF), Col Uma Shankar said the BRO would try to reopen the Rohtang Pass by the first week of May in the wake of the Lok Sabha poll. The strategic 479-km Manali-Leh national highway was also likely to be opened by May-end. Colonel Shankar said although the restoration work was a challenging task due to heavy snowfall, all efforts would be made to restore road connectivity to the Lahaul valley.

He said the snow-clearance operation had started from both sides of the Rohtang Pass. A party of the BRO had also been involved in the restoration of the Satingri-Darcha road towards the Baralacha Pass. A number of dozers, snow-cutters and excavators had been pressed into service.

He said the BRO did not restore the Gulaba transit camp in the winter this time due to heavy snow. At least 90 jawans were providing their services to restore the Manali-Sarchu road on the Manali-Leh route.