Rohtang Pass in Manali will not be reachable by non-Himachal cars as per the latest decision of the district administration of Kullu and Manali. Waking up to the problems being faced of massive traffic jam en route to Rohtang Pass, all movement of non Himachal registered vehicles has been banned beyond Kothi, 15 Km from Manali.

The move was necessitated because of very high pressure of vehicles on the 51 km stretch leading to Rohtang Pass from Manali.

Deputy Commissioner Kullu said, ‘as a number of tourist vehicles from outside the state are responsible for accidents, we are not allowing them to travel in their own vehicles till Rohtang Pass. The tourists will have to hire a local taxi from Kothi (15 km from Manali), if they want to travel upto Rohtang’.

This would mean that all private and tourist vehicles registered outside Himachal Pradesh will now travel till Kothi. Tourists will have to hire Himachal registered taxis to go till Rohtang Pass. The idea is that Himachal drivers are more skilled in hill driving than those from the plains.

Vehicles traveling to Leh and Kaza and crossing the Rohtang Pass will now have to apply for a permit at the SDM office in Manali between 10 am to 5 pm else a penalty will be imposed. Movement of trucks have been banned on Rohtang Pass between 6 am to 6 pm.

Traffic to Rohtang Pass will remain closed on each Tuesday as usual. All vehicles including Himachal vehicles are not allowed to go to Rohtang Pass on Tuesdays as a mark of concern to save the fragile ecology in the region.

Do you think this move will bring some respite from frequent traffic jams at Rohtang Pass. Please leave your views in the comments below.