Rohtang Pass Opens, Lahaul Connected By Road After 4 Months

Manali: High altitude Rohtang Pass connecting Kullu valley with Lahaul was thrown open to traffic after it had remained snowbound for over four months.

The road over the 3978 meter high Rohtang Pass has been cleared of snow and is now open for traffic, Mohan Lal, Chief Engineer, BRO Project Deepak, the agency engaged for opening the road told media persons here today.

He said that over 100 men and four big JCB, two Snow cutters, D80 and D50 Dozers were deployed for clearance of snow. We took 30 days to clear the road over the pass off snow.

He added with it pass still receiving snowfall off and on, Chief Engineer cautioned about dangers of avalanches and landslides on the road. We have requested the local administration to give few more days for proper maintenance of this road, said chief.

With the road providing an alternate and vital connectivity with Leh in Ladakh, the Chief Engineer said that snow clearing was in full swing towards atop Baralacha Pass and the road the pass would be restored by 25th of May. He revealed that our second Team was working between 161 -162 kms crossed Patsau bridge, we have to clear 222 kms and 50 kms is left.

He said we have saved Rs 1.40 lac on air support head for which we are allotted Rs 2 Cores. Mohan Lal disclosed that Kunzam Pass will be cleared up till end of June as it has heavy snowfall.

Sanjay Dutta

Sanjay Dutta, an engineer by qualification but is a journalist by choice.

He has worked for the premier new agency Press Trust of India and leading English daily Indian Express.

With more than a decade of experience, he has been highlighting issues related to environment, tourism and other aspects affecting mountain ecology.

Sanjay Dutta lives in a village close to Manali in Kullu valley of Himachal.