Parking areas earmarked near Atal Tunnel

Our Correspondent

Kullu, January 2

Lahaul and Spiti SP Manav Verma has stated that different areas had been earmarked for parking of vehicles near the north portal of the Atal Tunnel up to Sissu.

A parking space for 150 vehicles would be available near Gufa Hotel, for 30 vehicles near the Pagal nullah, for 15 vehicles near the Teling nullah and for 400 vehicles near the Sissu helipad. He stated that the rally ground adjacent to the Sissu helipad, which was not being used at present, could accommodate 200 vehicles.

No accidents in Dec

The tunnel remained closed for four days in December. Due to the efforts of the police, no accidents took place and no injuries and casualties were reported in this month. —Manav Verma, Lahaul and Spiti SP

Verma said no accidents took place in the district in December, even as traffic through the Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, increased by over 50 per cent.

He said 44,533 vehicles had passed through the tunnel in December 2020, while the number rose to 68,548 in December 2021. The tunnel had remained closed for eight days in December 2020, while it remained closed for four days in December 2021. Due to the efforts of the police, no accidents took place and no injuries and casualties were reported in December, the SP maintained.

Around 35,574 vehicles entered the Lahaul valley through the tunnel and around 32,974 vehicles exited through it. Around 22,918 vehicles of other states passed through it. Traffic movement had been smooth, though slight congestion was witnessed on December 24. As many as 219 challans compounding to Rs 1.60 lakh were issued.

The SP said, “December has been a challenging month with sub-zero temperatures and black ice forming after 3 pm. The police have worked untiringly to ensure all commuters from Pangi and Lahaul, along with tourists, travel safely to their destinations”.

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