As winter approaches, the Manali-Leh national highway has been shut down owing to dangerous driving conditions amid chilly weather. Closed on November 20, the highway is expected to open next year. Besides this highway, the Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh administrations have ordered the closure of the Darcha-Sarchu, Darcha-Shinku La, and Gramphu-Kaza roads, expected to reopen in May when the snow melts.
Reports suggest that the Lahaul administration has ordered the enforcement of travel restrictions on the route until its reopening next year. Authorities said that vehicle movement might be permitted up to Darcha, contingent upon weather conditions.
Meanwhile, Ladakh's UT issued an order emphasising the high risk of vehicle stranding on the Manali-Leh route due to cold weather and reported road icing, especially in mountain passes. As a precaution, the decision was made to close the Leh-Manali road to avert travel disruptions and potential vehicle strandings.
The order prohibits vehicle travel from the Upshi police check post in Leh towards Darcha. The Ladakh administration instructed the local police to rigorously enforce these directives, cautioning tourists against travel to prevent inconvenience.
Srinagar-Manali Highway: This route passes through Srinagar, Sonamarg, Zozi La, Drass, Kargil, Keylong and finally reaches Manali. It's a longer route than the direct Manali-Leh highway, but it's an alternative when the latter is closed.
Chandigarh-Manali Highway: This route bypasses Leh entirely and is a popular alternative for reaching Manali from Chandigarh or other parts of Punjab and Haryana.
Shimla-Kaza-Manali Route: A longer route, it involves travelling via Shimla, Recong Peo, Tabo, Kaza, and finally crossing the Kunzum Pass to reach Manali.
Shimla-Mandi-Manali Route: Another alternative is via Shimla to Mandi and then to Manali. This is a commonly used route when the Manali-Leh highway is closed.