Fee imposed on tourist vehicles entering Kasol, Manikaran

Our Correspondent

KULLU, JULY 27

The district administration has installed a barrier to collect development fee from the outside vehicles entering tourist hotspots Kasol and Manikaran in the Parbati valley of the district from today.

The barrier has been set up about 2 km before Kasol. The fee will not be taken from the vehicles registered in Himachal Pradesh.

The members of Special Area Development Authority (SADA), Manikaran, had unanimously decided and passed a resolution that the development fee would be levied for providing basic facilities in the area.

Kullu DC and Manikaran SADA chairman Ashutosh Garg issued an order in this regard in exercise of powers under the TCP Act. The entry fee for a two-wheeler is Rs 50, for a car Rs 100, for SUV and MUV Rs 300 while for all types of buses and trucks, it is Rs 500.

Manikaran is a well-known spot apart from Kasol, which, off-late, has become favourite among foreigners. A large number of pilgrims from Punjab visit the famous gurdwara in Manikaran. The hot water springs in both places are other major attraction for the visitors. However, there are neither sewage treatment plants in both these destinations, nor scientific garbage disposal units.

The DC said it was necessary to create basic facilities for the tourists and to preserve the ecology of the area. He said the funds generated would be utilized to preserve environment, to create basic facilities and undertake other development works in the region. Steps would be taken for proper disposal of solid and liquid waste in Kasol and Manikaran.