Umar Raina
Leh, May 12: The strategically important Leh–Manali National Highway (NH-03), connecting the Union Territory of Ladakh with Himachal Pradesh, was officially reopened for traffic on Tuesday after nearly two months of intensive snow clearance operations carried out by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
The road opening ceremony was held at Sarchu, where BRO Himank officials termed the reopening a major achievement considering the extreme weather conditions, heavy snowfall and avalanche threats faced by the teams during the operation.
Speaking to reporters during the ceremony, a senior BRO official said that NH-03 is one of the most crucial road links for Ladakh serving not only the civilian population and tourists but also the defence forces and logistics supply chain.
He said the snow clearance operation began on March 16 2026 and was carried out jointly by BRO’s Project Himank and Project Deepak teams.
According to officials the teams faced immense challenges while clearing snow along some of the world’s highest and most dangerous mountain passes, including Tanglang La (17,482 ft), Lachulung La (16,616 ft), and Nakee La (15,547 ft), besides the treacherous Gata Loops stretch.
The terrain here ranges between 14,000 and 17,400 feet and is extremely challenging. The area is avalanche-prone, temperatures remain sub-zero, and unpredictable snowfall repeatedly disrupted the work, the official said.
He added that despite repeated weather interruptions and difficult terrain conditions BRO personnel continued operations tirelessly to restore connectivity.
The BRO further stated that the highway has now been widened to double-lane standards at several stretches to ensure smoother traffic movement.
The official also assured that emergency response teams, nursing assistants and road maintenance personnel would remain stationed along the highway to assist stranded tourists and travellers in case of medical emergencies, oxygen shortages or landslides.
“Whenever there is a landslide or road blockage, our teams remain ready for immediate response. If tourists get stranded anywhere, BRO officers and JCOs are there to help them,” he said.
