Lahaul to Manali bus fares reduced

Abhinav Vashisht

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KULLU, OCTOBER 11

The rates of freight and bus fares between Lahaul and Manali have been reduced after the opening of the Atal Tunnel Rohtang as the one-way distance had been cut short by 46 km.

Lahaul and Spiti HRTC Regional Manager Mangal Chand Manepa said that fares between Keylong and Manali had been reduced by Rs 100. Earlier, the fare between Keylong and Manali was Rs 255 but now it has been revised to Rs 155.

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Manepa said that now night bus service was also possible from Lahaul. The Udaipur-Shimla bus has been started and commuters could avail the benefit of overnight journey and reach Shimla in the morning. This would benefit particularly the employees who have to visit Shimla frequently. Re-scheduling of various bus routes from Lahaul to other districts was done as the travel time has been reduced between Lahaul and Manali after opening of the tunnel.

Potato season has commenced in Lahaul valley and the crop was being transported through the tunnel. The Kullu Truck Union had also provided relief to the farmers in Lahaul by reducing the fare for each bag of potato. Kullu Truck Union president Homender Mahant said the fare for potato haulage had been revised at a special meeting with Lahaul Potato Society, BSC & Co and HST. He said that now instead of Rs 75 for a 50-kg sack of potato, the transportation charges from Lahaul to Kullu will be Rs 45.

Farmers Ram Saran, Prem Das, Jagat Ram, Ramesh Lal, Panna Lal and Bhag Chand said that earlier there was a lot of difficulty in transporting their produce. They did not get a fair price as their produce did not reach the agricultural marketing yards on time. They said that now the farmers were a relieved a lot after the opening of the Atal Tunnel.

The residents said that now the taxi drivers were also negotiating fares between Lahaul and Manali. Many vehicles ply between Keylong and Manali and drivers charge the passengers on a per head basis. Bishan, a resident of Lahaul, said that taxis were also available for a lower fare than earlier when they had to cross through the 13,058 feet high mighty Rohtang Pass.

Udaipur-Shimla bus service

• After the opening of tunnel night bus service now possible from Lahaul
• The Udaipur-Shimla bus has been started and commuters could avail the benefit of overnight journey and reach Shimla in the morning
• The night bus service would benefit particularly the employees who have to visit Shimla frequently
• Re-scheduling of various bus routes from Lahaul to other districts is done as the travel time has been reduced