Rohtang sealed for all tourist vehicles
Famous tourist destination Rohtang Pass, which tourists from across India flocked to see snow round-the-year, has been banned for all the vehicles being used for tourism purpose following the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order to this effect.
Now, nearly 33 lakh tourists visiting Manali will not be able to go to Rohtang Pass as the district administration as imposed complete ban on all type of tourist vehicles from plying on Manali-Rohtang Highway beyond Vashisht. The administration on Sunday passed directions to taxi operators that no vehicle would be allowed to move on Rohtang Pass road from Monday in compliance with NGT order.
“NGT in its May 5 order had given only three month’s relief. It had permitted maximum 1,000 vehicles every day to Rohtang Pass. Now the relief period has expired,” Kullu deputy commissioner Rakesh Kanwar said. “Complying with the NGT order, all petrol and diesel vehicles will now not be allowed to go Rohtang Pass. The ban, however, is not applicable on vehicles going to Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh beyond Rohtang Pass,” he added.
Those not comply with the NGT order would be liable for strict legal action, Kanwar added. Manali sub-divisional magistrate Jyoti Rana said that local administration, tourism department and police were directed to keep a close watch on traffic movement on Manali-Rohtang route. “If anybody is found visiting Rohtang on the pretext of going to Lahaul or Ladakh, he or she would be dealt with strictly.”
The NGT had directed that only CNG-run or battery-operated vehicles can go Rohtang Pass as other vehicles were harming the fragile ecology of the area. No other vehicle would not be allowed to visit Rohtang Pass until the state government arranges for CNG vehicles, sources said. The ban on Rohtang Pass has stunned thousands of taxi operators who depend on tourists for their livelihood.