SHIMLA: Cheers abound as one of the most famous tourist destinations, especially popular among the riders in the country, is thrown open to the public after the winter chill.
The Manali administration on Friday allowed the tourist vehicles to the world famous Rohtang Pass. Kullu Deputy Commissioner Ashutosh Garg issued an order that will allow the vehicles to go to the 13,058 feet high Pass.
The decision to open the Pass will bring cheers from the tourism industry as Rohtang Pass is the backbone of the tourism industry in Manali. The Pass attracts tourists as they can enjoy the heavenly sight of snow even in June and July.
The Border Road Organisation (BRO), which had launched the snow-clearing operation on April 8, had now cleared the snow on the Manali-Rohtang road.
However, only a limited number of tourist vehicles are allowed to visit Rohtang daily. As per an order by the National Green Tribunal, obtaining a permit is mandatory for tourist vehicles to go beyond Gulaba Barrier. The permits can be obtained from the website of the Manali administration or by visiting its office in Manali.
Every day, 800 petrol and 400 diesel vehicles will be allowed to go to Rohtang Pass. The vehicles going to Rohtang Pass will be sent only between 9 am and 4 pm and the movement of vehicles on the pass would depend on the weather, said an official.
Rohtang Pass is about 50 km from Manali. It experiences about 40 to 50 feet of snow due to which it remains closed for about six months a year. Before the construction of the Atal Tunnel, those wanting to go to Lahaul-Spiti had to cross the Rohtang Pass.