App launched to verify permits to visit Rohtang Pass

Abhinav Vashisht

Kullu, October 1

The district administration, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), Himachal Pradesh, has developed a mobile app to check the validity of Rohtang Pass permits. Tourists will not have to wait in long queues at Gulaba and Koksar barriers as their permit will be verified in a few seconds by scanning it through the mobile app. It has been made for Android mobile phones.

Kullu Deputy Commissioner Ashutosh Garg said earlier, the task to verify a permit was done through a computer at the counter. He added now, drivers would not have to go to the counter and instead the barrier staff would approach them and check their permits. A QR code, for one-time usage, would be scanned from the mobile phone.

He said besides saving time, the app would provide transparency in the system and keep track of the number of vehicles visiting the 13,058-foot high Rohtang Pass.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had capped the number of vehicles at 1,200 (800 petrol and 400 diesel) per day to visit the eco-fragile region. Any vehicle from within and outside the state can apply for the online permit by visiting https://rohtangpermits.nic.in. The permit for light motor vehicles and medium utility vehicles is for Rs 550 and for heavy motor vehicles, it is for Rs 600, including the congestion charges of Rs 50 and Rs 100, respectively.

Valid only for one day

• Permit can be obtained online at 10 am for 200 diesel and 400 petrol vehicles and then at 4 pm for other permitted vehicles.
• Permit can only be applied for next six days from the current date.
• It is valid for one day only for a to-and-fro journey and only three permits can be obtained for a vehicle in a week.
• Vehicles are not allowed on Tuesdays, which is reserved for road maintenance.