No diesel vehicles to enter Rohtang from May 1

Abhinav Vashisht

Kullu, April 20

Starting May 1, only petrol-driven vehicles will be allowed for commercial purposes in the eco-sensitive Rohtang region.

The district administration passed the directions today in compliance with the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

However, the decision has not gone down well not just with locals but also with tourists, as a majority of tourist vehicles that arrive here are run on diesel.

The move follows the orders of the NGT in November last year directing the state government to take immediate steps to ensure plying of CNG buses from Vashisht to Rohtang and vice and versa.

Kullu Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Vinay Thakur stated that in compliance with the orders of the NGT only petrol-run vehicles would be allowed for commercial purposes in the Rohtang region from May 1.

The ADM said diesel-operated tourist and commercial vehicles would not be allowed beyond the Bhang barrier. He added that the Army vehicles, HRTC buses, private vehicles and vehicles of Lahaul residents had been exempted from the order.

The state government has already held a meeting with a high-level team from the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and representatives from major automobile companies for starting CNG buses in the state, especially in connection with setting up of a CNG station at Manali, so that environment-friendly buses could be plied to Rohtang Pass.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had also expressed reservations on the practicability of the NGT order and indicated that a review petition would be filed before the NGT.