2015 Manali - Leh Road Status

[Yogesh Sarkar]

This is a dedicated thread for 2015 Manali - Leh Road Status, and will be frequently updated with the current road status and condition of the highway.

Current status of Manali - Leh Highway: Open. Manali - Leh Highway has reopened for traffic.

The road that connects this Himachal Pradesh picturesque town with Leh in Jammu and Kashmir reopened for motorists on Saturday after remaining closed for over seven months due to heavy snow deposits, an official said here.

The road is crucial for the movement of the armed forces to areas in the Ladakh region that borders China and Pakistan.

"The Manali-Leh road was opened for light vehicles only," an official of the 38 Task Force of GREF told IANS here.

The entire 475 km road stretch between Manali and Leh remained off-limits for over seven months due to heavy snow.

The Manali-Leh highway, which attracts backpackers, especially foreign nationals, winds its way through the Rohtang Pass (13,050 ft), Baralacha Pass (16,020 ft), Lachlungla Pass (16,620 ft) and Tanglangla Pass (17,480 ft).

Source: http://www.newkerala.com/news/2015/fullnews-73125.html

Rohtang Pass Permit

Vehicles from outside Himachal Pradesh need a permit from the SDM Office in Manali or Green Tax Barrier at Gulaba, in order to cross Rohtang Pass. You can also arrange this permit through your hotel or a travel agent in Manali.

Permit are only issued to those, who intend to cross Rohtang Pass to reach Ladakh or Lahaul, Spiti and Pangi Valleys, and those who are interested in only going up to Rohtang Jot, have to hire a taxi from Manali Taxi Union.

Vehicles which are 10 years or older, aren’t allowed to cross Rohtang Pass.

You do not need any permit, if you are coming from Leh, Lahaul, Spiti or Pangi Valley.

For Srinagar - Leh Highway, please check http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/road-status-f90/2015-srinagar-leh-road-status-t62684/ thread and in case you have any travel query, please post them in Ladakh and Zanskar section.

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

I just came across this news report, which states that the Manali - Leh Highway might reopen late, due to heavy snowfall. Heavy snowfall has ensured that the clearing up operation would only start by mid-March. However the news report is wrong in stating that the Manali - Leh Highway reopens in end-April or early-May, unless the author was just talking about Manali - Rohtang section.

Border Roads Organization (BRO) is all set to start its snow clearing operation on strategically important Manali-Leh highway, one of the highest and dangerous highways of the world. The operation, which is already delayed due to inclement weather conditions, is expected to start in mid-March. Generally Manali-Leh road is thrown open for vehicular traffic in late April or early May, but this year opening of the road may take little more time.

Heavy winter snowfall blocks Manali-Leh highway every year in November and BRO starts removing snow from the highway from Gulaba, near 23km north of Manal, every year on March 1. But conditions are not similar this year. Some parts of Manali-Leh highway received highest snow in last 36 years while more snow is likely in next two months. Some parts along the highway, particularly near Rohtang and Baralacha Pass, have received over 40 feet of snow. Sources said that cutting through the thick sheet of snow is not easy this year and can delay opening of Manali-Leh highway.

"Bad weather conditions, heavy snowfall and avalanche warnings have forced us to delay the snow clearing operation," BRO commander Colonel K P Rajendera Kumar said, who looks after operations of 38 Border Road Task Force. "There is prediction for more snowfall and threat of avalanches. We are expecting to start clearing snow towards Rohtang Pass in second or third week of March."

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Heavy-snow-may-delay-opening-of-Manali-Leh-highway/articleshow/46463921.cms

 

[amitw79]

I just came across this news report, which states that the Manali - Leh Highway might reopen late, due to heavy snowfall. Heavy snowfall has ensured that the clearing up operation would only start by mid-March. However the news report is wrong in stating that the Manali - Leh Highway reopens in end-April or early-May, unless the author was just talking about Manali - Rohtang section.

Yead I read it too.
But we believe in BRO and especially strong tourism lobby in Manali.
I am sure they would want it to open as early as possible so as to lure tourists to mess up Rohtang asap.

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

BRO does a good job in harsh and unforgiving territory, but they aren’t great at sticking to timelines and often underestimate power of nature. Last year as well, they had paid dearly due to it.

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Manali - Leh Highway clearing operation hasn’t yet started and it seems it would likely be delayed by over couple of weeks this time around thanks to heavy snowfall.

Heavy snow has also hampered snow-clearing operations on the 475-km-long strategically important Manali-Leh highway.

"The snow-clearing operation between Manali and Leh normally starts on March 1 every year. This time it has been delayed owing to heavy snow on March 1-2," an officer of the GREF's 38 Task Force told IANS.

GREF or General Reserve Engineering Force is a wing of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) that maintains crucial highways in the country.

The entire 475-km road stretch between Manali and Leh, crucial for movement of the armed forces to areas in the Ladakh region that border China and Pakistan, remains off-limits for over six months due to heavy snow. The road was shut down in mid-December last year.

The snow-clearing takes over two months to make the road pliable.

Source: Frequent snow revives cold, but cheers Himachal's apple growers

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Manali - Leh Highway reopening would likely be delayed this year. Even rescue posts for locals crossing Rohtang Pass on foot, won’t come up on 15th march, like they do every year. Instead they will be established after 20th March, depending on weather.

Usually, Rohtang is thrown open for pedestrians on March 15 every year when two rescue posts are established on either side of the pass to monitor safe movement of public. This year Lahaul-Spiti administration has decided not to set up posts before March 20 due to heavy late snowfall. These posts, manned by mountaineers, rescue experts, wireless operators, police and medical facilities, ensure that each person crosses the dangerous snow-bound pass safely by registering him at both posts on either side of the mountain.

"Rescue posts will not be established till March 20 to prevent people from crossing the pass," Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Hans Raj Chauhan said. He added that this year the pass has received extremely heavy snowfall. "It is dangerous to cross the pass. Depending upon the weather conditions, rescue posts can be established after March 20," he said.

Source: No rescue posts near Rohtang till March 20 - The Times of India

 

[chandan.dey]

Where is that green tax barrier at gulaba? How far gulaba is situated from manali?

- - - Updated - - -

Is that true Rohtang Tunnel is not yet opened..?

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Gulaba is around 15 km after Manali and Rohtang Tunnel will take few more years.

 

[aamir_khan]

Hi Yogesh, i and my 7 other friends have planed our road trip to leh from manali. We will be starting from manali on 5th of june this year. I have been following this thread and got to know that manali leh highway openings may delay due to heavy snow fall this year. Can we still expect the roads to open before 5th june. We cannot postpone our trip further. Pleqse advise.

 

[morvishal]

Hi,

can you please tell me will it be possible to do LEH-MANALI on 25/26th may.

Regards,
Vishal