LEH: In a remarkable feat of engineering prowess and unwavering dedication, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has successfully cleared the strategically important Leh-Manali Highway (NH-3), reconnecting Ladakh to the rest of India via Manali.
This 475 km artery, crucial for the movement of armed forces and essential supplies to forward areas in Ladakh, was restored to operational status despite formidable challenges posed by inclement weather and treacherous terrain.
BRO’s dedicated snow clearance teams from Project Himank in Ladakh and Project Deepak in Himachal Pradesh battled extreme winter conditions, clearing high-altitude passes including Tanglang La (17,480 feet), Lachung La (16,616 feet), Nakee La (15,547 feet) and Baralacha La (16,340 feet).
Snow walls towering up to 15 feet high and detrimental ice formations threatened to impede progress, but the BRO’s snow clearance teams persevered, driven by their unwavering commitment to national security and connectivity.
The Leh-Manali Highway, which remained closed since late November 2024 due to heavy snowfall lasting till 7 May 2025, was reopened on 12 May 2025.
The reopening of the NH-3 will provide a vital lifeline for the armed forces and the local population, ensuring the uninterrupted movement of essential supplies and personnel.
The highway is crucial for the movement of troops and supplies to the forward areas in Ladakh, especially along the border with China and Pakistan.
The restoration process involved working in extremely challenging conditions, including snowstorms and high-altitude areas.
The BRO started snow-clearance operations on National Highway-3 under Project HIMANK. In a crucial step towards restoring connectivity in the Ladakh region, the BRO had commenced snow clearance operations on National Highway-3 under Project HIMANK.
This initiative, led by the Ministry of Defence, focused on maintaining and constructing road infrastructure in the Union Territories of Ladakh and parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The operation aimed to reopen the strategic highway, which serves as a crucial lifeline for both civilians and defence personnel stationed in the region.
A BRO had highlighted the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions, with teams of skilled personnel and heavy machinery working tirelessly to clear massive snow accumulations along key stretches of the highway.
NH -3 which connects Manali to Leh, remains vital for transport and logistics, particularly for the armed forces stationed in the high-altitude areas of Ladakh. Due to heavy snowfall in winter, the highway remains inaccessible for several months, requiring extensive efforts to restore connectivity ahead of the summer season, BRO had stated earlier.
The successful completion of the snow clearance operation played a pivotal role in reconnecting Ladakh with the rest of the country, facilitating the movement of essential supplies, tourists, and military personnel.
