Gulaba thrown open to tourists after four months

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, April 16

The district administration of Kullu has restored the tourist point of Gulaba, near Manali town towards Rohtang pass, for tourist activity. The step has delighted hoteliers and tourists as the popular tourist spot was closed for tourist activity for the past four months due to heavy snowfall in the region.

However, movement of tourist vehicles would not be allowed beyond Gulaba. Vehicles would be stopped at Gulaba barrier. The local administration has set up toilets and constructed parking places near the barrier for the convenience of tourists coming to the region.

The decision was taken to divert tourist rush of Solang valley towards Gulaba in the coming days. The Solang valley was opened for tourist activity in the beginning of April and it has been receiving tourists ever since.

Talking to The Tribune, Manali Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ashwani Kumar said the movement of tourist vehicles would be allowed only up to Gulaba barrier. The decision was taken after thorough inspection of the road, which was found fit for the movement of vehicles.

“For the convenience of tourists, we have set up toilets at Gulaba and constructed parking places to avoid traffic chaos. No vehicle will be allowed beyond Gulaba until the restoration of Rohtang pass,” he stated.

The SDM said opening of Gulaba for tourist activity would reduce traffic congestion, which is expected in coming days as tourist influx will increase towards Kullu-Manali. He urged the taxi operators and tourists to follow the instructions and keep the area neat and clean.

Anup Thakur, president of Hoteliers Association, Kullu-Manali, appreciated the decision of the district administration. He said tourists visit Kullu-Manali to enjoy snow activities. With the opening of Gulaba, footfall will increase in the coming days as tourists would get to enjoy snow here.