Leh–Manali Highway

The Leh-Manali Highway ( Leh - Manali Highway ) is a 477 km long transport route in India, which connects the cities of Leh in the Ladakh region and Manali in Himachal Pradesh. The road is for the Indian armed forces is of strategic importance as it represents the only alternative route for connecting Srinagar - Leh and in contrary to this runs from the Pakistani border. The " highway" is only one lane expanded into many parts and only open from June to mid-September.

Course

On its route through the two states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir to the Leh-Manali Highway leads from Manali in the Kullu Valley in Lahaul and Spiti region and to Ladakh. The most important place is being crossed Keylong. Major stops are also Sarchu and Pang. The road takes you past the border with Zanskar. From Upshi to Leh the road follows the Indus. This section is fully developed two lanes and is actually the continuation of National Highway 1D dar.

The "Highway" is known that he leads several of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world, including Rohtang La ( 3,978 m), the Baralacha La ( 4,892 m), the Lachulung La ( 5,059 m) and the Tanglang La ( 5,325 m) in the Himalayas. The latter is the second highest motorable pass in the world of motor vehicles.

The mountain on which the first pass, the Rohtang La is located, acts as a climatic divide. On the side towards Manali falls considerably more rainfall than on the side towards Keylong. Therefore, the Rohtang La is on the total distance the ball with the most snow and thus crucial for blocking the road.

Operation and expansion

Release of the road if it is exempted from the Border Roads Organization of the snow and the winter damage are eliminated. After working during the entire time of the opening of the road in order to develop, repair the thin bitumen ceiling and fix damage caused by landslides. Especially at the Rohtang La, but also in other sections, the expansion takes place on two tracks. In addition, since the spring of 2010, a 8.8 km long horseshoe shaped tunnel under the Rohtang La is built through. Completion is scheduled for the end of 2015 .. For the Lahaul Spiti region and would no longer cut off in winter from the outside world.

The Leh-Manali Highway 2012 to be part of the National Highway 21 after completion of the ongoing construction work.

The concrete implementation of the maintenance and expansion work subject within Border Roads Organisation so-called projects. For the section of the highway in Himachal Pradesh Manali to Sarchu the project Deepak is responsible for the section Sarchu to Leh in Jammu and Kashmir, the project Himank.

Traffic

There is a regular bus service on the road. The required stopover is usually done Jispa or Keylong. Another place to stay is in the tent camps near Sarchu.

Freight transport is mainly towards Leh.

Time and again, especially by heavily laden truck accidents, which then often block the road. However, landslides can make the road impassable for hours or even days.