Ladakh lifeline: The Leh-Sarchu-Manali national highway had remained closed for over five months. A file photo

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 16

After remaining closed for over five months, the Leh-Sarchu-Manali national highway has been reopened for traffic. The road serves as a lifeline for the people of Ladakh region ensuring essential supplies as well as stocking for winters when the region remains cut off from the rest of the country.Due to disturbance in Kashmir Valley, this route is used by most civilians and military convoys to reach Ladakh. The 474-km-long highway is maintained by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).In Himachal, BRO’s Project Deepak is responsible for maintaining the 222-km Manali-Sarchu stretch, which include Rohtang and Barlacha passes, while the 252-km stretch in J&K from Sarchu to Leh through the Tanglang, Lachung and Nakki passes is looked after under Project Himank. Around four lakh cubic metres of snow was cleared and alternative routes were cut to avoid sinking of road portions due to heavy accumulation of snow before opening the road for traffic.