जनजातीय जिला लाहौल-स्पिति का द्वार 13050 फुट ऊंचा प्रसिद्ध रोहतांग दर्रा आगामी 15 मई से पहले यातायात के लिए बहाल कर लिया जाएगा। यह बात उपायुक्त यूनुस ने आज कुल्लू में आयोजित एक प्रेस वार्ता में कही। उन्होंने कहा कि रोहतांग पर 15 से 20 फुट बर्फ है जिसे काटने का कार्य सीमा सड़क संगठन द्वारा युद्ध स्तर पर जारी है। उन्होंने कहा कि जनजातीय जिला लाहौल स्पिति व चंबा का पांगी क्षेत्र जो गत दिसम्बर को बर्फबारी के कारण शेष विश्व से कट चुका था, वह पूरी तरह से अन्य क्षेत्रों से जुड़ जाएगा और इन क्षेत्रों के लोगों को भी बड़ी राहत मिलेगी। यूनुस ने कहा कि रोहतांग दर्रे को मई के पहले सप्ताह में ही खोलने के लक्ष्य को लेकर कार्य किया जा रहा है, लेकिन विपरीत मौसमी परिस्थितियों के चलते बहाली के कार्य में व्यवधान पड़ रहा है जिससे और पांच-छः दिन का विलंब होना स्वाभाविक है। उन्होंने कहा कि लोकसभा चुनाव के दृष्टिगत भी रोहतांग को शीघ्र बहाल करने के प्रयास किए जा रहे हैं और वह लगातार सीमा सड़क संगठन के संपर्क में हैं और बहाली की जानकारी प्राप्त कर रहे हैं। उन्होंने कहा हालांकि सड़क बहाली का कार्य रानी नाला से आगे तक कर लिया गया है, लेकिन ताजा हिमपात के कारण पुनः से मार्ग अवरूद्ध हो जाता है। रविवार से मढ़ी तक जा सकेंगे वाहन उपायुक्त ने कहा कि सैलानियांे तथा लाहौल, पांगी व कुल्लू के लोगों की सुविधा को ध्यान में रखते हुए वाहनों को आगामी रविवार से मढ़ी तक अनुमति प्रदान की जाएगी। उन्होंने कहा कि मढ़ी के आस-पास तथा सड़क के किनारे 400 वाहनों के लिए पार्किंग की व्यवस्था कर ली गई है और रविवार तक इसे डबल करने के प्रयास जारी है। उन्होंने कहा कि रविवार को पहले दिन केवल 600 वाहनों को ही मढ़ी तक अनुमति
जनजातीय जिला लाहौल-स्पिति का द्वार 13050 फुट ऊंचा प्रसिद्ध रोहतांग दर्रा आगामी 15 मई से पहले यातायात के लिए बहाल कर लिया जाएगा। यह बात उपायुक्त यूनुस ने आज कुल्लू में आयोजित एक प्रेस वार्ता में कही। उन्होंने कहा कि रोहतांग पर 15 से 20 फुट बर्फ है जिसे काटने का कार्य सीमा सड़क संगठन
As elections are nearing, Border Roads Organization (BRO) has speeded up snow clearance operations along Manali-Rohtang-Keylong highway. Rohtang, which is still experiencing fresh snowfall, is expected to open for tourists by end of May or early June. Meanwhile, people have continued to cross Rohtang on-foot while local authorities are helping some people in traversing Rohtang tunnel. On Wednesday, nearly ten people had left Manali for Lahaul but they failed to withstand blizzards on Rohtang and had to return back to Manali. Rescue post at Marhi and Koksar have now alerted pedestrians not to go towards Rohtang pass which has received nearly 15cm of more snow on Wednesday. The temperature in Manali and Lahaul valley has sharply dipped after snowfall on hills and rain in the lower regions. People had to wear sweaters and jackets to protect them from cold. With target to resume traffic on Manali-Keylong highway before election, BRO jawans are working till late evening to clear snow from the highway. The machines have successfully cut through the snow and ice walls of Rahni nullah, the most difficult stretch of the road where snow depth was more than 40ft. Jawans from Manali side will clear road of snow till Rohtang within a week but it may take at least two more weeks for other BRO team to reach the pass from opposite side. BRO is still cutting 10 to 20ft deep snow and have reached nearly 1km beyond Rahni nullah. The weather has again turned inclement but BRO machines are unstoppable. BRO’s focus is on connecting Lahaul with Manali. Then organization shall concentrate on clearing snow from Darcha-Sarchu stretch. Be it through Rohtang tunnel or via Rohtang pass, residents of Lahaul who had migrated to Kullu or other places to spend winters have started to come back home before
As elections are nearing, Border Roads Organization (BRO) has speeded up snow clearance operations along Manali-Rohtang-Keylong highway. Rohtang, which is still experiencing fresh snowfall, is expected to open for tourists by end of May or early June. Meanwhile, people have continued to cross Rohtang on-foot while local authorities are helping some people in traversing Rohtang
The tourist places of Kullu Manali are clogged with garbage during summer tourist season as tourist crowd leaves behind tonnes of garbage. This time Kullu administration is not in mood to spare the litterbugs and has warned to impose a heavy fine on whoever throws garbage in open space. After National Green Tribunal (NGT) asked deputy commissioners of all districts of Himachal to ensure disposal of plastic waste from roadsides, rivers, nullahs and tourist places, Kullu administration has warned people of district to stop littering or face fine of upto Rs one lakh. The administration will run district wide campaigns to clean up garbage from rivers, their tributaries, towns and tourist places from May 3. As the district produces most garbage during summer tourist season in May and June, the officials have warned hoteliers, restaurant operators, shopkeepers and all residents that special surveillance teams are monitoring the entire district which will take action on litterbugs. Kullu deputy commissioner Yunus said civic bodies, panchayats, mahila mandals, yuvak mandals, NGOs and general public will take part in garbage cleanliness campaigns in entire district. “Our focus is on plastic garbage which not only will be collected but we shall dispose it off properly. We have taken the complaints of littering very seriously. We have provision of imposing fine up to Rs one lakh,” he said. Kullu-Manali produces tonnes of garbage every day during tourist season. Littering is the problem in all tourist places of Kullu. The officials of different departments have been directed to inspect tourist places frequently so that action could be taken against the offenders. Not just national highways, Beas river, its tributaries and towns but the villagers too would be challaned on the spot if they found throwing garbage in open spaces. The DC said dedicated teams have been constituted
The tourist places of Kullu Manali are clogged with garbage during summer tourist season as tourist crowd leaves behind tonnes of garbage. This time Kullu administration is not in mood to spare the litterbugs and has warned to impose a heavy fine on whoever throws garbage in open space. After National Green Tribunal (NGT) asked
Away from the heat of Lok Sabha elections, hundreds of tourists on Wednesday enjoyed unexpected summer snowfall at Gulaba, 23km from Manali. While mercury in many parts of the country has jumped above 40 degrees Celsius, the peaks of Himachal are still getting fresh snow. The temperature in many parts of Kullu, Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts of Himachal has plunged close to freezing point. The snowfall in mid-April has thrilled the hundreds of tourists at Gulaba near Manali. Gulaba, on the foothills of Rohtang pass, was opened for tourists on Tuesday after a gap of four months. Gulaba received 5cm fresh snow while Rohtang pass is expected to have received nearly 15cm snow. Parts of Lahaul valley also received some snowflakes. Border Roads Organization (BRO) had cleared snow till Marhi, 17km short of Rohtang pass. The fresh snowfall has affected the snow clearance operations. BRO wants to resume traffic on Manali-Rohtang-Keylong highway before election on May 19. Snowfall on high hills and rains in lower parts have triggered cold in upper Himachal. In Manali, residents have brought out sweaters and jackets from the closets. Tourists staying in hotels were demanding for room heaters. Manali sub-divisional magistrate Ashwani Kumar said tourists are allowed to go till Gulab where they can enjoy snow. "There is no limit on number of vehicles and no permit is required to go till Gulaab. Once vehicles are allowed to go beyond Gulaba, only 1,300 tourist vehicles would be given the permit on daily basis. Gulaba has enough snow for tourists," he said. While snowfall has brought cheer among tourists and hoteliers, it has worried the fruit growers. "Our apple orchards are under full blossom. A sudden drop in temperature is lethal for the crop. We pray almighty that snowfall on hills and drop in temperature
Away from the heat of Lok Sabha elections, hundreds of tourists on Wednesday enjoyed unexpected summer snowfall at Gulaba, 23km from Manali. While mercury in many parts of the country has jumped above 40 degrees Celsius, the peaks of Himachal are still getting fresh snow. The temperature in many parts of Kullu, Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti and
Mountaineering activities including climbing expeditions and trekking in Himachal would be possible for a limited time period as a thick blanket of snow on the peaks which is taking too much time to melt has shrunk the season. The winter season this year experienced several spells of heavy snowfall. Fresh snowfall is still continuing on high hills of Himachal. Not just tourists would be able to visit Rohtang pass in May end or early June, the trekking and climbing expeditions would start only after June. The Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar and other major mountain ranges above 10,000ft are still covered with a thick blanket of snow. All the major trekking routes in the state pass through Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kangra or Kinnaur. The multiple days trekking generally involves traversing the high mountain passes which are expected to be open for trekkers by mid-June. Usually, trekking starts from May. Kaushal Bhardwaj, a mountaineering guide, said Hamta Pass, Pin Parvati pass, Kullu-Bada Bhangal, Lahaul-Zanskar, Spiti-Tso Moriri, McLeodganj-Chamba and Bhawa pass are the most sought trekking tours which are expected to open by mid or end of June. “The passes and the routes are deep under snow. Organizing trekking tours on high altitude is very risky. Even professional mountaineers avoid going such trekking these days as it would be very difficult for rescue teams to reach them in case of emergency,” he said. Sachin Sharma, a mountain expedition organizer, said, some people go for climbing in low altitude peaks but all prominent peaks in Himachal have altitude more than 18,000ft and expedition in this season can prove fatal. “The main danger is avalanches and covered crevasses. The heavy snowfall had led to the early closure of the season last year and it will now delay the opening of season as well. We advise our
Mountaineering activities including climbing expeditions and trekking in Himachal would be possible for a limited time period as a thick blanket of snow on the peaks which is taking too much time to melt has shrunk the season. The winter season this year experienced several spells of heavy snowfall. Fresh snowfall is still continuing on
Following increasing cases of accidents in adventure tourism activities in Kullu, the district administration has ordered to seal the unauthorized paragliding sites and take strict action on illegal river rafting in Beas. Kullu deputy commissioner Yunus ordered SDMs and district tourism and development officer to destroy the paragliding infrastructure at Dobhi, Talogi, and Bijli Mahadev. He said these are the hotspots for unauthorized paragliding. Three persons, including a tourist from Kerala, have died in paragliding mishaps at Dobhi recently. Every year many tourists die while experiencing adventure activities like paragliding, river rafting, and hiking. After administration received many complaints of river rafting at unauthorized stretches of Beas, it has tightened the screw on the operators and said nobody has the right to play with the lives of innocent people. He ordered operators to ensure use of safety equipment and operate only on government authorized area. The administration has also imposed ba an on display of river rafting hording and the opening of booking counters along the national highway in Kullu-Manali. Rafting operators have been asked to make their rules in favour of better tourism and safety of tourists and deposit it with Dthe C office within 10 days. DC said associations would be responsible for the safety of the tourists. He asked paragliding and rafting operators to fix the charges for the services and display rates at appropriate places. He also ordered the tourism department to print pamphlets with rates of the activities and distribute among tourists. “We shall apply no tolerance policy on adventure sports. We are not against the activities and the operators who are earning their livelihood but we are against unauthorized activities. We receive many complaints regarding lack of safety from tourists and local residents,” Yunus said. He added that new regulations are being prepared for
Following increasing cases of accidents in adventure tourism activities in Kullu, the district administration has ordered to seal the unauthorized paragliding sites and take strict action on illegal river rafting in Beas. Kullu deputy commissioner Yunus ordered SDMs and district tourism and development officer to destroy the paragliding infrastructure at Dobhi, Talogi, and Bijli Mahadev.
If you are planning to visit Kullu-Manali this summer season and Rohtang pass is on your priority wish list, make sure you adhere to the timing system fixed by Kullu district magistrate, failing to which you may have to return back to Manali from mid-way. The tourist vehicles bound for Rohtang pass/Marhi/Beas Nala/Rahni nala/Rahla fall or other areas around Rohtang pass would be allowed to cross Gulaba check post from 7:45 am to 10 am daily. Tourists planning to visit Ladakh/Lahaul/Spiti/Pangi/Killar by road from Manali will be required to start traveling early morning as all tourist vehicles going beyond Rohtang pass will be allowed to cross Gulaba barrier (22km from Manali) only between 5:30 AM to 7:30 AM every day. Issuing a notification, district magistrate Yunus has fixed timing for all kind of vehicles to ensure smooth flow of traffic, without hours-long jams on Rohtang highway. Manali-Rohtang highway clogs with vehicles in peak summer tourist season due to the narrow road. The administration will enforce the timing system on trial basis this season. The timing system will be enforced strictly, but will totally depend on weather conditions. In case of emergency, the officials can slightly change the time. Kullu administration has fixed time for tourist, goods carriers and private cars bound for all the destinations across Rohtang pass and coming from both directions i.e. from Manali to Rohtang and from Rohtang to Manali. However, the administration has asked the public to give suggestions or file objection on this before April 18. This arrangement is temporary and can be lifted during a lean tourist season when traffic is thin. The timing system would not be applicable for emergency vehicles (fire/ambulances/police) and government vehicles. Apart from taking care for the timing system, don’t forget to obtain a permit for your vehicle to
If you are planning to visit Kullu-Manali this summer season and Rohtang pass is on your priority wish list, make sure you adhere to the timing system fixed by Kullu district magistrate, failing to which you may have to return back to Manali from mid-way. The tourist vehicles bound for Rohtang pass/Marhi/Beas Nala/Rahni nala/Rahla fall
Come May month, uni-directional traffic system would be imposed on Manali-Rohtang highway in an effort to combat one of the worst traffic jams on the hill roads of the world. The rise in temperature is forcing people to rush to the hill stations. Lakhs of tourists will head to Manali, particularly snow points of Rohtang, to get some respite. To prevent thousands of vehicles from choking the narrow road to Rohtang, Kullu administration has decided to make the Rohtang highway one way and impose timing-system. The highway leading to Manali town would also be made one-way. Kullu DC Yunus while holding a meeting with officials of all the departments, associations and stakeholders prior to the start of peak tourist season said vehicles going to Rohtang, Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi and Ladakh would be allowed to go till noon after which entry from Manali side would be restricted. “Once all vehicles reach Rohtang, the vehicles coming from opposite side would be allowed to come towards Manali. This will probably end all traffic bottlenecks and traffic will move smoothly.” He said vehicles entering Manali town will have to take another route for the exit. “We shall keep a close watch on vehicles jumping the queues. Overtaking would not be tolerated if any vehicle is found breaking the queue in case of jam or slow traffic,” he added. Talking about compliance of National Green Tribunal (NGT) order on Rohtang pass, Yunus said permit would be issued only to 1,300 vehicles to go to Rohtang pass for tourism purpose. Besides this quota, vehicles going to Lahaul-Spiti or Ladakh would not be allowed to come back from Rohtang. Vehicles violating the rules would be fined with Rs 5,000 and can be impounded. We have improved the online permit booking website and mobile app,” he added. Kullu SP
Come May month, uni-directional traffic system would be imposed on Manali-Rohtang highway in an effort to combat one of the worst traffic jams on the hill roads of the world. The rise in temperature is forcing people to rush to the hill stations. Lakhs of tourists will head to Manali, particularly snow points of Rohtang,
Very few advance hotel booking for the summer tourist season is worrying hoteliers in Himachal who believe continuing IPL matches and upcoming Lok Sabha elections will put their impact on the tourism till May 23. Peak summer tourist season in Himachal begins in mid-April and lasts till June end. As most hotels remain fully occupied during this duration, most of the tourists prefer booking hotels in advance. This year most of the hotels are complaining about very less booking. Hoteliers think this could be the impact of IPL matches and elections which can continue to affect their business until May 23 when the result of the election will be announced. A hotelier Ludar Chand said he is receiving very less advance booking if compared with last year. “90 percent of our clients come via online booking. Summer season is starting next month but there is almost no booking. Cricket matches put a negative impact on tourism as crores of people like to stay stick to the TV screens. Our booking agents say booking will remain little slow during elections as well,” he said. Another hotelier Surender Maheshwari said Lok Sabha election being the largest festival of the country and more and more people taking interest in politics is the reason people may choose elections over tourism. “This is the condition of almost all hoteliers in Himachal. Very few inquiries are pouring in. We get two and a half months to earn money. We hope June will bring us good business.” Hotels in Manali do a brisk business in the summer season when tourists head to hills to escape from the scorching heat of the plains. The hoteliers have to earn expenses for the whole year from business in a limited time period. Hoteliers earlier believed that tension in Kashmir will
Very few advance hotel booking for the summer tourist season is worrying hoteliers in Himachal who believe continuing IPL matches and upcoming Lok Sabha elections will put their impact on the tourism till May 23. Peak summer tourist season in Himachal begins in mid-April and lasts till June end. As most hotels remain fully occupied
The ground floors of houses in Solang and Kothi villages of Manali have buried under the white blanket as over 5ft of snow has accumulated here after many spells of very heavy snowfall since January. The snow accumulation below the roofs have reached 10 to 15ft. Snow has entered the balconies and verandahs. Snowfall is delighting tourists here but it has come as a disaster to Solang village of Manali where a house has demolished after landslides below the village, while another houses of the village is on verge of collapse. A house which can collapse any time has been vacated. The land has developed huge cracks which are advancing towards other houses. The house of Nokh Ram collapsed on Monday night. Fortunately they had already shifted to new house and were using it to store firewood and fodder. The family of Gokul Chand has evacuated the house for safety. Solang and Kothi villages have received over 20ft of snow since December and are still covered with over 4ft thick white blanket. The melting of the snow has triggered landslides below Solang village which is situated on the edge of the mountain, about 1,000ft above the valley. The village having about 50 houses has witnessed a massive avalanche after three decades. The terrified residents are still crossing 30ft high avalanche debris to reach home. “We have received such heavy snowfall after many years. From the backside we are under threat of avalanche and from front side the foundation of the whole village is sliding. The cracks on ground can be seen above the snow surface as well which has opened several feet wide. We are spending sleepless nights,” a resident of Solang village Roshan Lal said. With no road connectivity, Kothi residents had to stay indoors for many days in
The ground floors of houses in Solang and Kothi villages of Manali have buried under the white blanket as over 5ft of snow has accumulated here after many spells of very heavy snowfall since January. The snow accumulation below the roofs have reached 10 to 15ft. Snow has entered the balconies and verandahs. Snowfall is
