MANALI: The Manali-Leh highway has been closed officially for vehicular traffic beyond Darcha village of Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal, about 145km from Manali. The road is still operational between Manali and Keylong up to Darcha and will be closed officially on November 15.As the region slips into subzero temperature, the traffic between Lahaul and Leh is closed every year on October 15. Lahaul-Spiti police have removed the seasonal traffic check post from Darcha, the last village of the district on Monday. Police check post from Sarchu has already been removed after the recent heavy snowfall. Now there is nobody to monitor the safe movement of the vehicles. People of Leh and tourists can opt for Srinagar-Leh highway which is still operational.Lahaul-Spiti superintendent of police Rajesh Dharmani said that police check post at Darcha will remain shut during winter seasons. “Rescue posts would be set up on either sides of Rohtang pass on November 15. We have advised people not to drive towards Leh as it can prove fatal. The road surface has been covered with ice, making it very slippery.”However, Border Roads Organization (BRO) had cleared the snow from Manali-Leh highway on October 1 to help those stranded on the highway. Although snow has been cleared off the highway mostly, there’s still a thick layer of snow at many corners. BRO will keep working along the highway but deposit of ice on road makes the trip very dangerous. Also, seasonal police posts, shops, dhabas, camping sites and even shepherds have moved back, there is nobody to help people in case of emergency.BRO commander with 38 Border Road Task Force, Colonel AK Awasthi, who is responsible for maintenance of Manali-Leh highway till Sarchu said all his roads are cleared of snow. “We shall try to keep Manali-Keylong highway open as long as we can. We know that this road link is crucial for people of Lahaul valley and we will do all possible to keep it motorable. We have planned to continue some works even in winter times,” he said.

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