Manali: The road that connects this Himachal Pradesh picturesque town with Leh in Jammu and Kashmir reopened for motorists on Saturday after remaining closed for over seven months due to heavy snow deposits, an official said here.

The road is crucial for the movement of the armed forces to areas in the Ladakh region that borders China and Pakistan.

"The Manali-Leh road was opened for light vehicles only," an official of the 38 Task Force of GREF told IANS here.

The entire 475 km road stretch between Manali and Leh remained off-limits for over seven months due to heavy snow.

The Manali-Leh highway, which attracts backpackers, especially foreign nationals, winds its way through the Rohtang Pass (13,050 ft), Baralacha Pass (16,020 ft), Lachlungla Pass (16,620 ft) and Tanglangla Pass (17,480 ft).

(IANS)