Landlocked Ladakh has been reconnected with Himachal by road after four months as Border Roads Organisation (BRO), on Sunday, officially opened the strategically important 428km-long Manali-Leh highway to vehicular traffic, two months ahead of schedule.

The first convoy of seven oil tankers was flagged off by executive councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Stanzin Chosphel from Sarchu, the boundary of Himachal and Ladakh. Oil tankers and some other vehicles moved to Ladakh from Himachal. Chief engineer of Project Deepak, Brig M S Baghi and chief engineer, Project Himank Brig Arvinder Singh, commanders of both the projects and other BRO officials were also present on the occasion. Opening of the road has come as a relief for people of Ladakh. Also, government and Army will not have to remain dependent on flights for essential supplies anymore.

A BRO spokeman said the organisation had carried out snow clearance on 149 roads, having length of 3,965km, to ensure that communication lines remained open in remote high altitude areas of the country. “The strategically important Manali-Leh highway used to remain closed for six months, leaving Ladakh dependent on supplies through aerial routes. The road is open this year at least one and a half months ahead of normal schedule,” he said.

He added that snow clearance on Manali-Leh highway had started in mid-February with a strategy to simultaneously commence snow clearance on the major passes of Baralacha (16,047ft), Nakeela (16,170ft), Lachungla (16,616ft) and Taglangla (17,582ft). “The strategy was to increase snow clearing attack points. Therefore, Baralacha and Taglangla were addressed from both sides. Latest high tech machinery was used and our jawans worked relentlessly day and night to provide early connectivity to Leh,” he said.

BRO officials said inauguration of Atal Tunnel completely changed the dynamics this year by doing away with the need to clear snow from Rohtang Pass. With this, complete focus was on opening of Baralacha, which was tackled from both sides – Patseo and Sarchu. As equipment required was already stored in Sarchu in November before blocking of the highway, a team of six jawans, including the engineer, risked their lives and trekked across the dangerous Baralacha Pass to reach Sarchu and start clearing snow from the opposite side.

Besides less snowfall and clearing of snow from Baralacha and Taglangla, Atal Tunnel has been a major reason for opening of the highway in March for the first time in history. Manali-Leh highway has five major passes but BRO was not required to clear snow from Rohtang Pass, which poses the main challenge.

This road, which remains closed for six months in winter, opened two months ahead of schedule. Military convoys, trucks carrying ration, fuel and other essentials and other vehicles will use the highway frequently in the days to come as Srinagar-Leh highway is still closed. Soon, tourism will also pick up pace in Ladakh.

Despite the opening of the highway, there is a possibility of fresh snowfall blocking it again for a day or two. However, BRO will keep clearing the snow to widen the highway. Other road maintenance works along the highway will also start in a few days. Lahaul-Spiti police will also establish the seasonal post at Darcha and Sarchu in a few days to regulate traffic and keep an eye on each vehicle and person using the border road.

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