Pithoragarh – The Border Roads Organisation has restored traffic movement on the Adi Kailash pilgrimage route in Vyas Valley, Dharchula, despite heavy snowfall earlier this winter. The strategic route had remained closed for months due to extreme weather conditions.
After snowfall on January 23, nearly eight to ten feet of snow accumulated between Gunji and Jyolingkong. The 65 RCC unit of the Border Roads Organisation began large-scale snow clearance operations under the leadership of Officer Commanding Lieutenant Colonel Akhil Kaushal. Personnel worked in temperatures ranging from minus 10 to minus 15 degrees Celsius, supported by more than 20 local labourers and five loader machines.
Commander 765 Border Roads Task Force Colonel Prashant Singh stated that a 20-kilometre stretch from Kuti to Jyolingkong has now been cleared and reopened. Earlier, the 16-kilometre road from Gunji to Kuti had already been made motorable.
Nagendra Singh Kutiyal, Gram Pradhan of Kuti village, said the road used to remain closed throughout winter in previous years, often reopening only by late April or May. With early clearance this year, residents of the border region will be able to access their villages for essential work even during the winter months.
Also Read This – 90% Principal Posts Vacant in Uttarakhand Govt Schools
The reopening of the route in February is being seen as a significant logistical achievement in a high-altitude border area. However, officials indicated that fresh snowfall could still affect movement, although early removal of accumulated snow is expected to make future clearance operations faster.
