Online permit facility for Rohtang areas launched

Our Correspondent

Kullu, May 17

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hans Raj Chauhan has said online permit to visit Rohtang region has been launched and tourists’ vehicles will be allowed to go up to Marhi from tomorrow.

He said permitted vehicles would soon be allowed to go up to the Rohtang Pass after putting in place necessary arrangements as per the directions of the National Green Tribunal. (NGT).

While the BRO had restored the road at 13,050-foot-high Rohtang Pass on April 6, but tourists’ vehicles were allowed only up to the Gulaba barrier.

The NGT had recently allowed 800 petrol and 400 diesel vehicles to go to the Pass for tourism purposes every day. The NGT had imposed charges of Rs 500 for all vehicles passing through the eco-sensitive Rohtang Pass area at the time of applying for permit and also Rs 50 as congestion charges. The BRO carries out maintenance of the Rohtang road on Tuesdays and thus vehicles are not permitted to go beyond Gulaba barrier on Tuesdays.

The DC said the permit would be available to tourists three days in advance and online payment could be done through four websites hpkullu.nic.in, hpkullu.gov.in, himachal.gov.in and admis.hp.nic.in/ngtkullu

He said permits would be issued to residents engaged in carrying out various adventure activities in the Rohtang region. He said those associated with the tourism industry would be provided I-cards to conduct any sort of business in the eco-fragile Rohtang region.

Meanwhile, people engaged with the tourism industry heaved a sigh of relief after the orders of the district administration to allow vehicles up to Marhi. Shyam, an entrepreneur in Manali, said snow was the major attraction for tourists and the government should start eco-friendly regulated tourism activities in other places of tourist interest around Kullu and Manali to promote tourism in this valley. He said the online booking facility would assist tourists to book their Rohtang expedition to avoid undue hassle.