As Rohtang Pass shuts, tourists head to Lahaul

Tribune News Service

Mandi, November 25

After the Kullu district administration imposed a complete ban on the movement of tourist vehicles towards Rohtang Pass, the tourist influx to Lahaul valley from Manali has considerably increased in the past two days.

The administration had imposed the ban on November 22 in view of public safety. As the temperature was dipping, frost got deposited on the road towards Rohtang, making the road slippery.

According to the police, after tourist activities were banned at Rohtang, tourists were now heading to Lahaul valley. In the past 24 hours (from 8 am on November 24 to 8 am on November 25), 5,113 vehicles crossed via Atal Tunnel on the Manali-Leh highway — 2,648 entered Lahaul from Manali and 2,465 moved back to Manali from Lahaul.

Hoteliers said Lahaul valley was witnessing a rise in the tourist influx after the ban in Rohtang. “Tourists prefer snow. So, they are now headed to Koksar, where little snow is available for their recreation,” they said.

Tanzin, a mud house owner, said snow was a major attraction for tourists in the region. “However, as the area recorded scant snowfall this time, tourists won’t be that elated,” he added.