HP asks army to allow emergency vehicles through Rohtang tunnel

SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh government has asked the army to allow all emergency vehicles to ply through the under construction strategic Rohtang tunnel.

Rohtang pass, the gateway to Lahaul & Spiti district, officially closes for traffic on November 15. Since in absence of road connectivity, people in the tribal district are dependent on the government-run helicopter services in winter, the district administration asked defence authorities to allow emergency vehicles to play through the tunnel.

“We are corresponding with the defence authorities to see if it can allow emergency vehicles to ply at the time when the pass is closed for traffic,” said deputy commissioner Dewa Singh Negi.

The Border Road Organisation had on Tuesday conveyed to the district administration Lahaul & Spiti to officially close Rohtang pass for vehicular traffic as frost has already made roads slippery. “We have written to the district administration to close Rohtang pass officially for vehicles,” said BRO commander AK Awasthi.

“The road has become dangerous and weatherman has predicted snow in higher reaches ,” he added.

The district administration, however, has decided to allow vehicles to ply till it snows. “We will allow traffic to ply for the time being till snow closes the road ,” said deputy commissioner Lahaul & Spiti.

The defence ministry is still weighing its option. “Right now, it is difficult to allow vehicles to plyas there is lots of construction work and the movement can further hamper the work ,” said a defence official on the request of anonymity.

Defence minister Nirmala Sit ha ram an had visited R oh tang tunnel on October 15 to inspect work.

On the same day, the BRO achieved a breakthrough with the two ends of the tunnel — Dhu nd hi( south portal) and Sissu (north portal) — meeting. The construction of the tunnel will provide road connectivity to Lahaul & Spiti district, which loses road connectivity for six months following snowfall.