No petrol, diesel vehicles to Rohtang from today

Tribune News Service

Mandi/Kullu, August 16

In compliance with the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the district administration has imposed a complete ban on all diesel and petrol vehicles going to the Rohtang Pass for tourism purpose from tomorrow.

No vehicles, except CNG or electric, would be allowed to go the Rohtang Pass for tourist purpose from August 17, said a statement issued by the district administration this evening.

The relaxation given by the NGT in its orders dated May 5, 2015 said that 1,000 vehicles would be allowed to go to the Rohtang Pass for tourism purpose only for three months from May 15 to August 14, 2015.

In view of the expiry of the three-month period, the district administration had ordered that no petrol or diesel vehicles would be allowed to go to Rohtang Pass for tourism purpose from August 17 for indefinite period. In its earlier order, the NGT had banned plying of all vehicles other than CNG or electric vehicles.

The NGT had earlier restricted the number of vehicles going to the Rohtang Pass to 1,000 per day, including 600 petrol and 400 diesel.

Him-Aanchal Taxi Operators Union, Manali, secretary MD Sharma said they would file a review petition in the NGT tomorrow as the ban would totally ruin their business.

Nearly 90 per cent of the tourists, who visit Manali, come to have a glimpse of the snow-clad Rohtang Pass, said an expert associated with the tourism. If tourists were no allowed to go the pass, the tourism industry in the region would face an uncertain future, he added.