Manali cabbies seek quota for Rohtang Pass permits
Dipender Manta
Tribune News Service
Mandi, June 2
Taxi operators of Manali have urged the Kullu administration to fix a quota of online permits to Rohtang for them because they are facing difficulties in availing it. They said the administration was providing online permits, which could be taken by anyone anywhere in India.
A permit is a must. Only 1,300 vehicles are allowed to visit Rohtang. The vehicle owners must have a permit to move ahead from the Gulaba barrier on the Manali-Leh highway. Taxi operators said due to its restricted number, the quota was finished quickly every day.
Raj Kumar, a taxi operator of Manali, said, “Rohtang is a favourite destination of tourists. But due to lack of permit, we cannot move ahead from the Gulaba barrier. So, the district administration should fix some quota of permits for the taxi operators of Manali so that they can have some business.”
Taxi Operators Union, Manali, has submitted a letter to Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and Deputy Commissioner, Kullu, seeking a solution to the problem.
Gupat Ram, president of union, said, “We have urged the district administration and the Chief Minister to fix a quota of Rohtang permits for us because being a local service provider, it is our right. We are dependent on taxi service for our livelihood.”
