The Leh-Manali Highway stretching 428 km was formally opened for vehicular movement on March 28. The inaugural ceremony was held at Serchu, a border point of the Himachal and Ladakh region.

This is for the first time that the Leh Manali road which serves as a lifeline for the Ladakh region to transport essential commodities both for the Indian Army and Civilian is opened two months earlier than the last years and also before the opening of Leh-Srinagar road. 

S.Chandrasekharan, 753 Assistant Engineer (civil) 111 RCC, Border Road Task Force, Project Himank BRO said that due to tensions on Eastern Border in Ladakh, BRO got instructions to keep the Taglangla open throughout winter accordingly they kept it open. 

BRO Himank project, Chief Engineer, Brig Arvinder Singh; Deepak Chief Engineer, and Brig, MS Baghi appreciated their staff for connecting the road well in advance.

Executive Councillor, Hill Council, Leh, Stanzin Chosphel thanked all the BRO officials led by Brig. Arvinder Singh of Project Himank and Brig. M.S Bhagi of Project Deepak for opening the Leh - Manali highway two months earlier compared to last year.

He said that the road will prove beneficial to the economic activities of Ladakh. 

Stanzin Chosphel expressed his gratitude to MP Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, and Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson for taking up the matter with the concerned officials to open the highway at the earliest.