New Delhi: In a major breakthrough of opening up of passes in the North-Western border areas, the Border Road Organisation (BRO) opened up the 210 Km long Manali-Sarchu Road on NH 1D in Himachal Pradesh today, thus establishing the connection to Lahaul District in Himachal Pradesh which further leads to Leh in Ladakh.
During the winters the road normally remains closed for over 160-180 days in a year and generally opens in the last week of April, but with the successful movement of a road convoy today, this time the Project Deepak of BRO has opened the pass almost a month in advance in 117 days, which is a record in itself. The last convoy had on the road had moved on November 29, 2021.
This achievement comes a day after the BRO opened the Zoji La Pass for civilian traffic on the Srinagar- Kargil- Leh Road on NH 1. The early opening is more creditable due to the fact that this year the region witnessed an exponential increase in snowfall as compared to last year.
Also read: Zoji La Pass reopens for traffic in record time
Opening the Manali-Sarchu Road was premised on the successful conduct of snow clearance operations over one of the highest passes of the Zanskar Range, the formidable Baralacha La Pass (16,043 feet). The BRO adopted a two-prong approach, with the simultaneous deployment of snow clearance teams from two sides, one from Patsio to Baralacha La and the second from Sarchu to Baralacha La.
Since Sarchu is cut off from the rest of the country during winters, as part of proactive actions and planning by the Project winter stocking of snow clearance plant equipment and spares was done well in advance during November last year in Sarchu Camp. To achieve success and early opening of the pass, and the road, aerial induction of the snow clearance team was undertaken on 05 March 2022 from Sarchu. A team comprising of six skilled operators and technicians was dropped at Baralacha La to commence snow clearance operations.
The road will be opened only for the movement of Army logistics convoys, for delivery of essential supplies for troops deployed in the forward areas. Movement of all traffic will commence in the near future, on approval from the Civil Administration.
-global bihari bureau
