Finally, electric buses ply on Manali-Rohtang highway

Abhinav Vashisht

KULLU, NOVEMBER 16

Eco-friendly electric buses of Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) have finally started to ferry passengers to visit the snow point on the Manali-Rohtang road from Monday. The buses were flagged off by Transport Minister GS Bali on September 21 from Kullu but regular bus service could not start due to pending formalities and permit issues.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had directed the state government to explore the possibility of eco-friendly transportation to protect the eco-fragile Rohtang area. Capping the number of petrol and diesel vehicles visiting the Rohtang Pass the NGT has allowed 1,200 vehicles (800 petrol and 400 diesel) daily up to the mighty Rohtang. The HRTC had imported 25 electric buses as no company in India manufactures battery-operated buses to comply with the NGT orders.

Kullu HRTC regional manager Mangal Chand Manepa said that two battery-operated buses were plying to Rohtang Pass till yesterday. Now after the snowfall the buses would go up to the spot on the Rohtang road where the vehicles would be allowed by the district administration. He said that 32 passengers left for the journey in two buses today and to and fro bus fare was Rs 600.

Manepa said that they were working out a plan to operate these buses on other routes when the Rohtang road would be completely closed after snowfall. He said that booking for these buses could be done at the booking counter at Manali. Soon online booking facility would also be made available.

Manali SDM HR Bairwa said that tourist vehicles were not allowed to go beyond the Gulaba barrier today as the Rohtang Pass was witnessing intermittent snowfall for the past two days.

Meanwhile, a lot of enthusiasm was seen among the visitors as well as the residents to travel in the electric buses, which were being run for the first time as a public transport. Shweta, a tourist, said that the view of the surroundings visible while travelling in the bus was breathtaking and going to the Rohtang Pass had become convenient now.

While hefty fares are charged by taxi operators to go to Rohtang Pass during peak tourist season, the electric buses will come to the aid of the enthusiasts willing to enjoy the adventures in snow. The buses are scheduled to go in the morning and return in the afternoon. The transport minister had stated that 10 electric buses had been approved for Kullu and Manali.