Rohtang pass to open late

Shimla : Clearing the Rohtang pass of snow this year could take at least half a month more as the Border Roads Organisation(BRO) is targeting opening the pass for traffic by mid May.

Around 80 km of the road on both sides of the 13,050 ft high pass still remains to be cleared of heavy snow.

The majestic pass is said to be under a mountain of snow about 15 to 20 feet deep.

The Kullu and the Lahaul valleys have had unusually heavy snow this time.

An official said while snow has been cleared from Manali to Beas nullah. And on the Lahaul side from Keylong to a couple of km beyond Darcha.

The Rohtang pass is a popular site for tourists visiting the scenic Kullu valley.It remains closed for traffic for around half the year.