Srinagar – Leh Road (2018): OPEN
Manali – Leh Road (2018): CLOSE
(Officially closed on Oct 15 till 2019 summer season)
Manali – Rohtang Road (2018): OPEN
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CLICK HERE to know the Manali-Leh road status for 2019
Police posts removed; Manali-Leh road closed officially
Update on October 15, 2018
October 15, 2018: 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.
Traffic between Lahaul and Leh is closed officially every year on October 15 under subzero temperature when everything starts freezing in the area. Lahaul-Spiti police have removed seasonal traffic check post from Darcha, the last village of district towards Ladakh, on Monday. Police check post from Sarchu has already been removed after recent heavy snowfall. Now there is nobody to monitor safe movement of the vehicles. People of Leh and tourists can now opt for Srinagar-Leh highway which closes weeks after this highway.
Lahaul-Spiti superintendent of police Rajesh Dharmani said police check post at Darcha will remain shut during winter season. “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.”
Very heavy snowfall on September 22 and 23 and blocked all the passes including Rohtang and Baralacha pass and hundreds of tourists and vehicles had stranded for days. However, Border Roads Organization (BRO) had cleared snow from Manali-Leh highway on October 1 to facilitate the stranded people and vehicles. There is no snow on the highway but corners of the road are still protected by thick layer of snow at many places. BRO will keep working along the highway but deposit of ice on road makes it very dangerous. As season 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 Col 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.
(Please note: Tourist permit to go to Leh/Ladakh and Keylong are not being issued by Manali administration since September 22 due to security reasons (after snowfall). Hence tourists cannot go beyond Rohtang pass from Manali side)
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Manali-Leh road opens for tourists
Update on May 19, 2018
May 19, 2018 (Manali/Leh): Wait of the lakhs of tourists wishing to go to Rohtang pass and Ladakh from Manali was over on Saturday after Kullu administration decided to allow tourist movement along Manali-Leh highway with an immediate effect.
“A joint inspection by SDM Manali, police, tourism department and Border Roads Organization (BRO) has discovered that movement of tourist to Rohtang and beyond is safe and all infrastructural arrangements have been made. So, the tourists are allowed to go to Rohtang pass or Ladakh with immediate effect from Saturday,” Kullu deputy commissioner Yunus said.
Most of the tourists wait for opening of Rohtang pass before planning their trip to Himachal. As soon as the pass opens, tourists from plains make beeline to Himachal. Not only Manali but the tourist rush in Shimla, Dalhousie, Dharamshala and other parts of the state is expected to increase from Sunday onwards. Rohtang has enough snow for tourists which will last for next few weeks.
Snow from Manali-Rohtang-Keylong highway was cleared on April 8 and Manali-Leh highway was opened on May 11. It took some time for administration to make arrangements like mobile toilets, parking and garbage collection facilities. 800 petrol and 400 diesel vehicles can obtain online permit to go to Rohtang after paying congestion charges of Rs 50 and permit fee of Rs 500. Rohtang will remain closed every Tuesday.
Manali SDM Raman Gharsangi said vehicles going to Ladakh, Lahaul, Pangi and Spiti will also have to obtain permit online by paying congestion charges of Rs 50 for passenger vehicles and Rs 100 for goods vehicles. “A vehicle can get a permit twice a week. We shall keep an eye on the weather conditions. Tourist movement can be stopped at Marhi in case of inclement weather conditions at Rohtang pass,” he said.
Rohtang is the main tourist destination of Himachal where snow remains available for most times of the year. Thousands of tourists also like to experience thrilling travel on Manali-Leh road which passes through many high mountain passes. Tourism in Lahaul-Spiti district will get a boost and hotels in Manali are also expected to be fully occupied in next few days.
(Please note Rohtang remains closed every Tuesday, plan your Manali-Leh trip accordingly)
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Manali-Leh road opens after six months
Update on May 13, 2018
May 13, 2018: The Manali-Leh highway which was closed for vehicular movement since November following snowfall has reopened after Border Roads Organization (BRO) cleared snow from 474-km-long highway. However, tourist movement would be allowed only if administration finds it safe and secure for them.
An official said on Sunday that snow had been cleared from entire length of highway on Friday late night. He said now road surface is worth driving the vehicles. Snow between Leh and Sarchu was cleared by General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) under project Himank a few days back. Now the engineering force under project Deepak too has cleared road from Manali till Sarchu.
The Indian Army has started stocking essentials at its transit camp near Manali and will now move towards Ladakh. The highway is also used by people of Ladakh and thousands of adventure enthusiasts. The daunting highway crosses high mountain passes including Rohtang (13,050ft), Baralacha pass (16,050ft), Lachulung (16,600ft) and Tanlang (17,480ft). Removing snow from Rohtang and Baralacha is more difficult than other passes as both receive more snow and experience many landslides and avalanches.
“The highway is ready for traffic. This time we made this nearly two weeks in advance,” 38 Border Road Task Force (BRTF) commander Colonel AK Awasthi said. He added that they had to cut 10 to 40ft thick snow and ice to achieve this target. “Snow depth at Baralacha is still 10 to 25ft. We had to clear snow from Rohtang and Baralacha multiple times. The fresh snowfall was undoing our works again and again.”
BRO had started its snow clearance operation in multiple stages after organizing puja near Beas nullah below Rohtang pass on March 12. This year the passes received less snow in winter months but many spells of snowfall in April and May affected its work. The spring months experienced very heavy snowfall.
Awasthi said BRO will continue working on the highway to improve its surface conditions. “We are building new bridges. Most part of the Manali-Sarchu road has been widened. Remaining portions are also being widened and blacktopped,” he added. Ministry of Defence is planning to build tunnels below all the passes to make Manali-Leh highway an all-weather road.
Tourists are advised to keep checking the online permit website here http://admis.hp.nic.in/ngtkullu/BeyondRohtang/InformatoryScreen . The permits are not being issued so far. Once tourists are allowed, the site will show a tab to book the permit online. All tourists are required to obtain this permit after paying congestion charges of Rs 50 to be able to cross Rohtang pass. This permit is valid only to go to Ladakh/Lahaul-Spiti and is required for vehicle, not the passengers. If you use this permit to cross Rohtang, you cannot come back to Manali on the same day. If this site allows you to book the permit, that means tourists are being allowed to go to Ladakh using Manali-Leh road.
Manali-Leh road may open by May 10
Update on May 03, 2018
May 03, 2018: Amidst continuing (spring) snowfall, Border Roads Organization (BRO), which wanted to open Manali-Leh highway for traffic movement by May 5, has now set a new target of May 10 despite inclement weather conditions.
After 13,050ft high Rohtang pass, the BRO has finally reached even difficult 16,050ft high Baralacha pass. The depth of snow here is 30 to 35ft. The pass is receiving fresh snow since Tuesday evening. Despite snowfall, the work is underway with help of jawans, snow cutters, dozers and excavators. The officials say they have Baralacha-Sarchu stretch to clear after which the traffic can move to Ladakh.
Officer commanding, 70 Road Construction Company of General Reserve Engineer Force, Lieutenant Colonel Vijay Kumar, said the weather is inclement but they are proceeding further. “We have set a target of one week to clear snow till Sarchu and hopefully weather will favour us. We are working on Baralacha pass. He we are cutting 30 to 35ft of snow. The conditions are challenging but thankfully both our men and machines are safe,” he said.
According to Vijay Kumar, last year Manali-Leh highway had opened on May 25 but this time they shall open it two weeks in advance. Last year most of the stretches had no snow or depth was less due to melting by natural phenomenon. As this year the jawans have reached Baralacha very early and temperature is still freezing, they are faced with mountains of snow.
“We are watching snowfall every another day. It has affected the work to some extent. Once we get down of Baralacha from opposite side towards Ladakh, we shall move forward till Sarchu without much effort. Once the snow is cleared and road surface condition is improved, traffic towards Leh would be restored,” he added.
High peaks of Himachal and Ladakh are still experiencing fresh snowfall. Rohtang pass has received 5cm fresh snow. There is forecast of more snowfall on high hills in next six days which can further delay opening of Manali-Leh highway.
We still advise tourists who wish to travel by Manali-Leh highway not to book before May 20 when road conditions would be improved and journey would be safe and smoother.
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Update on May 02, 2018
Manali-Leh road expected to open by mid-May
April 02, 2018: The Manali-Leh highway can be opened for vehicular traffic till May 15 as BRO today said that the snow clearance operation is close to finish as they have less than 30km of stretch to clear the snow.
The BRO jawans and machines are clearing snow from highway near 16,050ft high Baralacha pass. The jawans aim to reach Sarchu in two weeks. However, opening of the road is totally dependent on the weather conditions. In worse conditions, the opening date may move to May 20 or beyond. Those planning to book the trip in advance are advised to book their trip anytime after May 25 for better surface conditions and to be sure that road will be open.
Meanwhile, online permits to visit Rohtang pass have been opened and tourists are allowed to visit Marhi, 35km from Manali and 16km before Rohtang pass. The tourists are required to book online permits from the website to be able to cross Gulaba barrier. Officials from Kullu administration said tourists will soon be allowed to go till Rohtang pass in few days after arranging basic facilities.
Update on April 05, 2018
Rohtang pass opens for vehicular traffic
April 05, 2018: Border Roads Organization (BRO) today announced that it has cleared snow from 13,050ft high Rohtang pass, gateway to Lahaul-Spiti district and Ladakh, and it will allow general traffic movement from Friday.
The Manali-Keylong highway that passes through 13,050ft high Rohtang pass was blocked following heavy winter snowfall since December. BRO had launched snow clearance operation with four teams and each team equipped with 20 jawans, snow cutters, dozers and excavators and the teams advanced towards Rohtang from its both sides. As the region has received less snow than last few years, BRO could clear snow from Rohtang nearly three weeks in advance. Last year Rohtang was opened on April 28.
38 Border Road Task Force commander Colonel Arvind Kumar Awasthi said the machines moving towards Rohtang from Kullu and Lahaul sides had met at Rohtang pass in the afternoon on Thursday. “We have connected Keylong with Manali in record time, at least earlier than last 10 years. People of Lahaul can cross Rohtang by their vehicles on Friday. Our first goal to provide relief to tribals has been achieved. But precaution is needed to be taken while driving on this road,” he said.
Awasthi said fifth team is moving towards Baralacha pass with motive to connect Sarchu on Manali-Leh axis. “We expected to reach Baralacha pass by end of this month. This highway is strategically very important for our army besides being the lifeline for local residents. Now our focus is on improving surface condition on Manali-Keylong highway and restoring traffic on Manali-Leh highway by clearing snow till Sarchu as soon as possible.” He added that jawans had to face blizzards, extreme cold conditions, sliding snow and had to cut 10 to 15ft of snow and ice.
The population of Lahaul which remains trapped within valley after winter snowfall every year can now freely go anywhere in the country. Otherwise they were dependent on emergency helicopter services but its sorties were irregular and totally dependent on weather conditions. Currently the Manali-Keylong highway can be used by vehicles carrying residents of Lahaul and employees working in the valley. The pass is expected to open for tourist movement by end of the month after arrangement of adequate parking and installation of mobile toilets and dustbins.
Update on March 31, 2018
Rohtang pass to open in a week
March 31, 2018: Manali-Rohtang-Keylong highway, which is blocked since December after winter snowfall, is set to open in a week, almost a month in advance. The highway generally opens in April end or early May but this time it is expected to open on or before April 5.
While Border Roads Organization (BRO) jawans who had started clearing snow from Lahaul side are working close to Rohtang, the team from Manali side is working beyond Rahni nullah. Snow clearance operation that had started officially on March 12 is continuing on war footings. Clearing snow from Rahni nullah, which experiences many avalanches, was the main challenge before BRO. According to BRO officials, this time Rahni nullah had less than 10ft of snow, otherwise they used to cut 30 to 50ft walls of snow.
An official from BRO said the machines and jawans are working hard to clear road till Rohtang pass as soon as possible. “If everything goes right, we can reach Rohtang pass till April 5. Currently we are cutting through 7 to 8ft thick layer of snow,” he said.
If weather remains dry and Rohtang does not receive more snow, the highway will be opened in a record time, about a month in advance. BRO will then concentrate on clearing snow from Keylong-Sarchu stretch towards Leh. Its main focus will remain on 16,050ft high Baralacha pass. As the region has received less snow this season, Manali-Leh highway is also expected to open for vehicular movement about a month in advance.
BRO’s 38 Border Roads Task Force commander Colonel AK Awasthi said their main purpose is to restore traffic on Manali-Keylong highway and provide relief to people of Lahaul-Spiti district as soon as possible. “Our jawans are working very hard. Our teams are moving towards Rohtang from both sides and one team is moving towards Baralacha pass as per strategy. Still everything depends on weather conditions. The passes may receive more snow that can affect our speed,” he said.
After clearing snow from Rohtang, vehicles of residents of Lahaul would be allowed. Tourist vehicles will be allowed only after making arrangement of parking, toilet and dustbins. Before this, tourists will be allowed till Beas nullah and Marhi.
Update on March 26, 2018
Srinagar-Leh highway opens
March 26, 2018: BRO today cleared snow from Zojila pass and 10 vehicles cross the pass during the opening ceremony. The road is expected to open officially for civilians in first week of April. Zojila receives very heavy snowfall during winter months and cuts off Ladakh from Srinagar. According to officials, surface condition of Srinagar-Leh highway is good and will be opened for general public very soon. The Kargil-Zanskar road has also been thrown open for vehicular movement after gap of more than four months.
Update on March 12, 2018
Snow clearance starts on Manali-Leh highway
March 12, 2018: With a puja organized at 11,000ft Beas Nullah, 33km from Manali, amid high walls of snow, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) on Monday started herculean task of clearing snow from daunting Manali-Leh highway. If weather remains favourable, Rohtang, Keylong and Leh would be connected in record time.
BRO’s 38 Border Road Task Force (BRTF) commander Colonel Arvind Kumar Awasthi, who visited the site to boost jawans’ morale, said the risky work of removing snow from highway has been started in three phases with help of five snow cutters, six excavators, eight dozers, other machinery and nearly 100 jawans. He said they are cutting through 10 to 15ft thick layer of snow and a puja was organized for the safety of jawans and machines.
“We are expecting 20 to 30ft deep snow at Rohtang pass. Two teams, one from Manali side and one from Koksar in Lahaul are advancing towards Rohtang pass. Third team is advancing from Darcha towards 16,050ft high Baralacha pass. More snowfall may slow down our operation. Otherwise, we are committed to open the highway in record time,” he said.
Possibility of avalanches, collapsing of snow, high-velocity winds, bone-chilling cold and shooting stones are the main threats before the jawans. So far the region has received less snow than last year. The commander said this will be too early to say the expected time to open road as the region receives heavy snow till April end.
The 38 BRTF of Project Deepak of BRO is responsible for maintenance of Manali-Leh highway till Sarchu, 222km from here. This is the most challenging portion of the highway. The Sarchu-Leh highway is maintained by Project Himank of BRO.
Awasthi said is first goal is to connect Rohtang and Keylong with Manali to provide relief to residents of Lahaul who have no road connectivity since December. BRO had already cleared snow in the lower areas and started operation in challenging portion from Monday. For safety reasons, the vehicular traffic is not being allowed beyond Gulaba, 23km from here.
Once the highway is opened, not only tourism will get boost on Manali-Ladakh road but military convoy will also move to the border areas from its transit camp at Manali. Though work has started at war footings, the commander directed jawans to consider safety first. The snow clearance work has claimed many lives in the past.
Meanwhile, BRO is working hard to clear snow from Srinagar-Leh highway. The jawans are engaged in clearing snow from Jozila pass between Sonmarg and Drass. The road here is covered under thick layer of snow. The Srinagar-Leh highway opens earlier than Manali-Leh highway.
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Update on March 9, 2018
Unpredictable weather prevents BRO to start snow clearance on Manali-Leh highway
March 9, 2018: The unpredictable weather and snowfall on hills every third day is preventing Border Roads Organization (BRO) from starting its snow clearance operation on strategically important Manali-Leh highway which is officially closed since October 15.
BRO starts clearing snow from this road from March every year. The road is thrown open for vehicular traffic in end of May or early June. So far the mountain passes have received less snow than last few years. But, BRO officials say there are two more months of snowfall and it is too early to say that the passes have received less snow this season. They say jawans and machineries will be moved in few days to remove the snow.
BRO’s commander at 38 Border Roads Task Force Colonel AK Awasthi said he will make a detailed strategy with his engineers before carrying out the operation. “We are looking at weather. If we clear snow from a particular stretch and if it snows again, it will undo our efforts. The snow clearance in multi-stages will start in few days,” he said.
Awasthi added that their first goal will be to clear road till Rohtang pass. “We want to connect Keylong in Lahaul with Manali. This will provide road connectivity to thousands of people of Lahaul valley. Then we shall move towards Baralacha pass to connect with Sarchu on Manali-Leh axis. The work will start in multi stages from Manali and Lahaul sides.”
Avalanches at few places may have damaged the road but so far the damages are less than last few years. If everything remains favourable, Keylong will be connected with Manali in April and Leh will be connected in May. If the peaks receive heavy snow in March and April, the opening of the road till Keylong and Leh can be delayed to early May and late May respectively. The BRO is now waiting for crystal clear sky for a week ahead so that it can start the annual operation of clearing snow.
Two teams will move towards Rohtang from Manali (Gulaba) and Lahaul (Koksar) sides while third team will move from Darcha towards Baralacha pass. Once the road is opened, residents of Lahaul will get relief, tourism will get boost and military convoy will move to border areas of Ladakh.
Update on February 7, 2018
Manali-Leh highway may open in record time
February 7, 2018: Border Roads Organization (BRO) is all set to start snow clearing operation on strategically important Manali-Leh highway from March 1. The highway, which is covered with thin patches of snow, may open in record time.
Every year BRO clears snow from the highway from March. Generally highway till Rohtang and Keylong is opened in May and the highway till Rohtang is thrown open for traffic in May end or early June. It was in 1999, 2000 and 2001 when the region along highway had very less snow and Manali-Keylong highway was opened in April. Nearly 17 years after, this year may repeat the history and highway can be opened in April.
Rohtang pass, Baralacha pass and higher areas are covered with a thin layer of snow. Both the passes, which generally remain covered with 20 to 30ft of snow in February, have less than 5ft of snow. Amazingly, region has not witnessed any major avalanche and landslide and the road is not severely damaged. If hills do not get heavy snowfall, it will affect tourism and agriculture but will bring some relief to people of Lahaul in emergency by reconnecting them by road.
38 Border Road Task Force commander Colonel AK Awasthi said though higher areas are still covered with thin layer of snow but snowfall can occur anytime till April. “We cannot predict what will be the condition till March. Still we shall clear snow on war footings and try to resume traffic as soon as possible. We have noticed heavy snowfall in February and March many times. Only time will tell what will be the road conditions. If high walls of snow, ice, avalanches and blizzards will not stop our way, we shall clear snow well within time.”
As the temperature is not favourable, BRO has stopped its cement (concrete) works. According to Awasthi, once temperature becomes favourable, they will start several works simultaneously. BRO is concentrating on widening of the highway, building new bridges, retaining and breast walls and blacktopping. BRO will also construct the highway beyond Shinkula pass towards Zanskar valley of Ladakh. If snow continues to deceive mountains, Manali-Keylong highway is expected to open in April and Manali-Leh highway in early May. But, if it snows heavily in next two months, the opening of road can be delayed.
Update on January 30, 2018
Manali-Leh road closed officially
January 30, 2018: Dauting 474-km-long Manali-Leh highway has been officially closed following several spells of snowfall and depositing of thick layer of ice on road surface. Border Roads Organization (BRO) will start clearing snow from the road from March 1 and the traffic movement on highway is expected to restart by end of May or first week of June.
Not only this highway offers breathtaking scenery and attracts thousands of tourists every year, it is also strategically very important for the nation. Though this year entire stretch of highway has received very less snowfall but some stretches at Rohtang pass and Baralacha pass are covered with 5 to 15ft of snow. Small avalanches have damaged road at some places. Even if BRO clears snow from the road, it will be impossible for vehicles to get traction on the road which is covered with frost under extreme cold conditions. The vehicles, these days, cannot move beyond Gulaba, 23km from Manali.
Himachal government had established two winter rescue posts at Marhi and Koksar which have now been removed. High passes, including Rohtang, Taglangla and Baralacha are frequently experiencing snowfall and BRO has also moved back and stopped its road works. BRO is working in lower portions, close to civilization, where temperature is favourable for cement works.
Manali-Leh highway is declared officially closed every year on October 15. After this, no government agency takes responsibility of accident or casualty. BRO stops clearing snow, except for internal roads of Lahaul valley.
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Disclaimer: The date of opening of Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh highway is not determined by anybody as it totally depends on weather conditions. Opening of these highways totally depends on intensity of snowfall in winter months, weather during clearing of snow, more snowfall in April and May months, temperature and many other aspects. Discover Leh Ladakh does not guarantee the accuracy of date of opening of the highway. This is just an estimation made as per inputs from BRO and sight visit by our own team members.
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