Manali-Leh Highway closed down due to landslide

Manali (Himachal Pradesh), June 18 : The strategic Manali-Leh road that connects the remote region of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir to the rest of the country is blocked due to landslide on Wednesday.

The landslide struck at Gulaba near Rohtang Pass blocking traffic on the 476-kilometres highway. A number of tourists on way to Rohtang pass and those coming back from Lahual and Spiti are reportedly stuck on the highway.

The stranded tourists lamented about government's mismanagement, alleging they were not provided with any assistance except by the army.

"There are lots of problems out here. We began our journey last night from Delhi. It is total chaos out here. I think government is not taking care of anything. A few military men are providing a little bit of assistance. Otherwise I have noticed that there is no relief from the government side anywhere. And I have not seen any traffic management out here," said Ritesh Kumar, a tourist.

However, the authorities refused to comment when questioned about the mismanagement at the site.

Border Roads Organization, which looks after the infrastructure to keep the border roads operational, has already come into action to regulate the traffic.

Manali-Leh road is very crucial for the Indian army as most of its supplies and equipment to Ladakh are carried through this road.

The highway also connects the tribal areas of Lahaul and Spiti in northern state of Himachal Pradesh as also the famous tourist destination of Rohtang pass in Manali which thousands of tourists visit every day. The fair- weather road remains open from May to November.

ANI