Rohtang Pass finally thrown open to tourists
SHIMLA: The Border Road Organisation (BRO) on Friday threw open the 13,050-feet-high Rohtang Pass on Saturday to vehicles.
The pass that remains closed in winters was earlier opened for locals on April 5, but intermittent rain and snowfall at the upper reaches of Himachal had hit the snow clearing work. District administration in Kullu had then allowed vehicles to ply only on one side.
“The pass is open for two-way traffic now,” confirmed 38 border road task force (BRTF) commander Col AK Awasthi.
“There was about 10 to 15 feet snow accumulated on both sides of the road and heavy machinery, including snow cutters, had to be pressed into service,” he added.
Kullu deputy commissioner Yunus Khan on Saturday also reviewed the arrangements for the tourist season.
TOURIST INFLUX GOES UP
The tourist influx in Kullu and Manali has surged up to 75% in the past two days as more than 1,500 tourist vehicles have been entering Manali daily.
Kullu tourist information officer Ritesh Guleria said the rush in Manali is expected to rise with the opening of Rohtang Pass.
TRAFFIC SNARLS APLENTY
The increasing rush in Manali has also led to traffic congestion.
“The suspension of traffic on the Left Bank due to landslide near Jagatsukh has left commuters with no other option than to take the other route (Right Bank),” a resident, Rajesh Sharma, said.
“Though public works department (PWD) is repairing the road, it may take some more days for the work to be completed,” he added.
Tourists reaching Manali are making bee line to visit Rohtang Pass, though the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed different restrictions and district administration only permits 1,300 vehicles to Rohtang Pass on daily basis.
However, the tourism department has been receiving 6,500 to 7,000 requests daily for seeking permits for Rohtang.