Rohtang opens for locals but out of bounds for tourists

Manali: While the administration has decided to take the risk of opening Rohtang Pass for local residents of Lahaul and Pangi, it has kept it out of bounds for tourists as the extreme cold and snow has made road slippery. The 13,050ft high mountain pass, the top tourist destination of Himachal Pradesh, will remain close for tourists till next year.

Rohtang Pass is officially closed on November 15, but it was reopened for local vehicular movement on Friday afternoon given the high demand from residents of landlocked areas here. On November 20, a group of 60-odd tribals had tried to reach Manali by taking the Rohtang tunnel route without taking permission from the authorities. When the group was made to turn back, the locals had held a protest against the state government and the BRO the next day, over their failure to open Rohtang Pass for vehicular traffic.

BRO started clearing snow on the pass on Wednesday afternoon and declared pass open for vehicular traffic on Friday afternoon. 38 Border Road Task Force commander Col A K Awasthi said, “Manali-Keylong highway is cleared of snow till Darcha, the last village of Lahaul on Manali-Leh highway.”

Manali sub divisional magistrate Raman Gharsangi, who is overseeing the public movement from Manali to Lahaul, said incoming (from Lahaul to Manali) traffic was allowed on Friday. “Vehicles from Manali side will go to Lahaul on Saturday. The road has become very slippery at some points. Strong winds are also dumping snow on the highway. This is an opportunity for residents of Lahaul to use the highway but they need to abide by all safety protocols. Vehicles will be allowed to go beyond Gulaba only after 8am, when sun starts melting ice on road. The road will remain operational until weather allows,” he added.

The district magistrate has passed an order that tourists are not allowed to go beyond Gulaba, 23km from here. This is to prevent them from meeting mishaps.


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