SHIMLA : In order to ease vehicular movement and strengthen the road connectivity to forward areas along China border, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Saturday threw open a bridge on Manali – Leh national highway.
HT PHOTO■ Beas Bridge on the Manali-Leh road was inaugurated by Border Roads Organisation ( North-West) additional director general Mohan Lal on Saturday.
In spite of extreme cold and inclement weather conditions at high altitude area, BRO has completed construction of this bridge on war footing at a cost of ₹600 lakh. MOHAN LAL, Border Roads ( North West) additional director general
“In spite of extreme cold and inclement weather conditions at high altitude area, BRO has completed construction of this bridge on war footing at a cost of ₹600 lakh,” said Border Roads Organisations ( North-West) additional director general Mohan Lal.
The bridge has been constructed 33 kilometers ahead of Manali on the highway.
“The bridge was a part of Manali-Sarchu road which connects the remote district of Lahaul and Spiti. It would now facilitate thousand of Leh bound tourist,” he said.
Seven more bridges were constructed by the BRO to fasten movement of vehicles on Manali – Leh road.
“BRO is trying it’s best to get all these bridges completed within next one to two working seasons” Lal said.
The border roads has already under takenwork to construct double lane as it witnesses heavy traffic movement . BRO also opened Manali Sarchu road that was closed twice due to untimely snowfall. Besides, the organisation also maintains the road across 16350 feet high Baralacha pass and 13050 feet high Rohtang pass. Region experienced unprecedented rains and snow during last week of September when scores of tourist and drivers on Leh bound road were stranded . Himachal government along with Indian air force launched massive operation to evacuate them.
The nature’s fury caused floods and triggered avalanches. Nearly four thousand tourists and locals stranded on snow covered Manali- Sarchu road and nearby villages.
Work to reopen the passes and clear the snow from 222km Manali–Sarchu road was undertaken on war footing pace in sub zero temperature.
BRO had also restored road communication to Leh and rescued tourists and locals stranded on Manali-sarchu road. BRO was raised in 1960 with an aim to build and maintain strategic border roads in north and north-eastern border of the country.