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Restoring Connectivity: Leh-Manali National Highway Reopens After Winter Shutdown

The Leh-Manali National Highway, a 428-kilometre route that connects the Union Territory of Ladakh to the rest of India via Himachal Pradesh, has reopened for vehicle traffic after being closed for nearly five months due to heavy winter snowfall. The road was shut down in November as heavy snow began to accumulate with the onset of winter.

It has been successfully cleared and is now operational, according to officials. This reopening is a significant development for connectivity, tourism, military operations, and economic activity in the region.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) led the major effort to clear snow and make the highway safe for travel. The operation itself required teamwork and cooperation among several units from different projects.

A spokesperson from Leh explained that the 111 Road Construction Company (RCC) and the 753 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) from Project HIMANK worked on the Ladakh section, while the 70 RCC and the 38 BRTF from Project Deepak focused on the Himachal Pradesh section.

By splitting the work this way, the teams could clear the road from both ends at the same time, eventually meeting in the middle at Sarchu, which marks the border between Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.

The task of clearing the highway was not a simple one. It required highly skilled personnel and advanced machinery to navigate through extremely challenging conditions. The weather remained harsh which is typical for high-altitude regions which often caused the teams to face heavy snowstorms with the temperatures often dropping below freezing. The teams also had to navigate through four crucial mountain passes—Baralacha La (15,910 ft), Nakee La (15,547 ft), Lachung La (16,616 ft), and Tanglang La (17,482 ft)—all known for their tough weather conditions.

The reopening of this highway matters for several reasons. Firstly, it offers a vital transportation route for shipping goods, supplies, and other essential items to and from Ladakh, a region that can be quite isolated because of its geographical terrain. The route is also significant for the military, as it allows easier movement of troops and equipment between Ladakh and the rest of India.

Moreover, the highway plays a key role in tourism, attracting visitors who want to enjoy the stunning views of the Himalayan scenery and visit popular sites like Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley. The reopening of the Leh-Manali National Highway is likely to boost tourism, which can help local economies in both Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.

To conclude, reopening the Leh-Manali National Highway is a big win for keeping infrastructure in good shape and in maintaining operational efficiency. With the coordinated efforts of the Border Roads Organisation, the route is once again accessible for vehicle traffic. Despite the harsh weather conditions and significant obstacles, the teams displayed great persistence and hard work to make sure people and goods could travel through this road again.

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