Manali: After the remaining ones are blocked for 12 days because of heavy snowfall, the Manali-Leh highway has been opened back to the four-wheel drive vehicle.
Baralacha Pass, Nakee-la, Lachulung-la, and Taglang-La has received thick snow in three snow spells in the past two weeks.
The highway at Baralacha Pass is covered with snow more than 120cm.
Military convoys succeeded in crossing Baralacha Pass to reach Sarchu on Friday.
Officials say all vehicles in the convoy have a 4×4 vehicle (four drive) and have placed the anti-skid snow chain on the tire.
38 Border Roads Task Force Commander L Uma Shankar said the snow from Baralacha Pass was removed after hours of effort, and the highway is now open.
“At present, the highway is open, but only 4×4 vehicles are permitted.
Depending on weather and surface conditions, civil administration decides on the movement of the vehicle,” he said.
The snow from the highway has been cleaned, but the sugar layer on the road surface is the main problem.
The ice sheet covered the highway surface in most places between Zingzingbar in Lahaul and Taglang-la on Leh.
With temperatures it is expected to fall further in the coming days, driving on Jalan Raya Manali-Leh will be very risky because of the slippery road conditions.
Meanwhile, Jalan Gramphu-Kaza and Darcha-Shinu-la are still blocked with snow.