Keylong-Manali HRTC bus service back after 21 days

The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) today resumed its Keylong-Manali bus service, which was suspended 21 days ago after roads in Lahaul and Spiti district were severely damaged.

Heavy rainfall, cloudbursts and landslides had damaged the Manali-Keylong road stretch, which connects the tribal district to the rest of Himachal Pradesh. The HRTC bus service was resumed after the road was partially restored.

Anshit Sharma, Regional Manager of the HRTC Keylong Depot, said that the restored service would significantly benefit local commuters. “Many people were paying exorbitant fares to travel between Keylong and Manali in private taxis,” he added.

Lahaul and Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana also welcomed the resumption of the bus service, which, according to her, was a step towards restoring normalcy in the region.

She said, “The Keylong-Manali bus service will provide better and affordable transport to the residents of Lahaul and Spiti district.” She added, “Efforts are being made to resume long-route services, which are still suspended due to extensive damage caused to the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway between Kullu and Manali.”