Tourists’ wait to visit Rohtang gets longer

Abhinav Vashisht

Kullu, March 18

The visitors will have to wait longer this year to visit the major tourist attraction, the 13,058 feet high Rohtang Pass near Manali, because the BRO has yet to start snow clearance operation on the Manali-Rohtang road because of the Atal Tunnel.

The BRO generally starts snow clearance operation to restore the Rohtang Pass in the last week of February and accomplishes the task by the first week of May. The BRO has already started the restoration work on several points to restore the Manali-Leh highway for traffic but because of the Atal Tunnel no restoration work has begun for the Rohtang Pass.

The 38 Border Road Task Force (BRTF) Commander Colonel Uma Shankar said that now the Lahaul valley is connected with the country throughout the year after the opening of the Atal Tunnel.

He said that at present the BRO has put all its strength in restoring the strategically important Manali-Leh road. He added that if the weather remains favourable than the Manali-Leh highway will be restored in a record time by mid-April or even earlier.

The snow removal work for Rohtang Pass will be started after restoration of the Manali-Leh highway.

The beneficiaries associated with the tourism industry said that the Rohtang Pass was a major attraction among the tourists. It is the backbone of the tourism industry in Manali. They apprehend that the tourists will not be able to enjoy the snow at the Rohtang Pass if it is restored late. At present, the vehicles were being allowed till Gulaba but there was no snow there due to scanty snowfall this winter season. They have demanded that the road restoration work be started for the Rohtang Pass so that it does not lose its charm.

Gupt Ram, president, Him Anchal Taxi Operators Union, Manali, said that snow clearance work on the Manali-Rohtang road should be started soon and it should be opened as tourists will not be able to enjoy the snow if the Rohtang Pass is restored late. Non-restoration of the Pass or its delayed opening will have an adverse impact upon the tourism industry.

He demanded that the tourism department should preserve the existing tourist attractions along the route and develop more tourism spots to boost the economy of the region.

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