The restoration work on the vital highway began on March 27 and was completed on Tuesday after BRO teams battled heavy snowfall, avalanches and sub-zero temperatures. The reopening marks a significant milestone for both civilian movement and military logistics in the region.
BRO officials celebrated the achievement with a “Golden Handshake Ceremony” at Sarchu, located on the border of Himachal and the Union Territory of Ladakh, where officers from Project Deepak and Project Himank met after reconnecting the route from both ends.
Project Deepak is responsible for maintaining and restoring the stretch from Manali to Sarchu, while Project Himank handles the road from Sarchu to Leh.
Authorities said vehicular movement on the highway would be permitted only after a joint assessment and meeting with the Lahaul-Spiti administration in the coming days.
According to BRO officials, restoring the Baralacha Pass stretch beyond Darcha towards Leh, situated at an altitude of 16,040 feet, was an extremely challenging task.
“BRO personnel worked continuously for 42 days in freezing temperatures to accomplish this mission. Weather conditions this year were particularly harsh, making operations even more difficult,” a BRO official said.
The Manali-Sarchu stretch alone has 26 avalanche-prone points, posing constant danger to the workforce engaged in snow-clearance operations. Officials said BRO teams had to retreat and restart work at least six times due to adverse weather conditions and repeated snowfall. Despite these setbacks, BRO personnel continued operations and ultimately succeeded in restoring connectivity.
BRO authorities credited the successful completion of the operation to the dedication and resilience of personnel working in one of the toughest terrains in the country. They said special safety strategies were implemented in avalanche-prone zones to ensure the safety of workers and machinery. The reopening of the Manali-Leh highway is expected to boost transportation, tourism and supply chains to the Ladakh region ahead of the summer season.
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