Stranded farmers transported to Lahaul valley via Rohtang pass

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, April 25

The Himachal Pradesh government on Saturday transported 138 farmers of tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti from Kullu to Lahaul valley via Rohtang pass, the gateway to Lahaul on Manali-Leh highway.

They were stranded in Kullu district for a long time. The farmers of Lahaul & Spiti are keen to move Lahaul valley from Kullu because sowing season has started in the district.

They were ferried at Rahlinala near Rohtang pass from Kullu in light vehicles, where from they crossed the pass to other side toward Lahaul-Spiti on foot. They trekked 3km snowy path from Rahlinala ahead from another side of Rohtang pass, where they were picked in vehicles and transported toward their respective destinations in Lahaul-Spiti.

The pass was restored for traffic movement late Saturday evening, said Border Roads Organisation Commander Uma Shankar.

However, it will take a day or two for smooth movement of traffic. With the restoration of the pass now Kullu has been connected with tribal district Lahaul and Spiti. The restoration work will continue on Manali-Leh highway from Darcha ahead toward Sarchu to connect the  road via Baralacha la from Lahaul to Leh Ladakh.

The restoration of Manali-Leh highway for traffic movement up to Sarchu the last boundary of Himachal with union territory Ladakh is expected till end of May or first week of June depending over weather conditions in the region.

The BRO has engaged its workforce and machinery in the region for snow clearance work since February 20.

People were ferried near Rahninala from Manali side, from where they trekked 3 km snowy path on foot to cross the Pass toward the Lahaul side.

“We have provided transportation facility from the Lahaul side and sent all these people toward their respective destinations. There medical check-up was conducted from entry point from Manali side and at Koksar from Lahaul side,” Lahaul-Spiti Deputy Commissioner K K Saroch said.

He said all these people have been asked to stay in home quarantine and follow the guidelines of social distancing.