Atal Tunnel to be shut for three days

Abhinav Vashisht

KULLU, FEBRUARY 2

Tourist vehicles will not be allowed to visit Atal Tunnel from February 3 to 5 in the wake of inclement weather forecast.

Solang-tunnel road to be tow-away zone

• n The stretch between Solang and the tunnel has been declared a tow-away zone
• n Vehicles will not be allowed to halt on the stretch
• n Eating kiosks and temporary beverage shops have also been banned along the stretch
• n Signboards will be put up by the BRO
• n Strict action will be taken against those who disobey the orders

Kullu SP Gaurav Singh said the Meteorological Department had issued a warning of snow and rain. The threat of avalanches, landslides, icing on the roads and fog increased in adverse weather. Vehicles would not be permitted beyond the Solang nullah. He urged tourists to avoid going towards higher reaches and disaster-prone areas and follow the advisory.

The tunnel had been closed for 24 days from January 6. It was reopened to tourists on January 30 after the administration got approval from the BRO. A large number of people were crossing the tunnel and the vehicular movement had increased due to which there was a possibility of accidents. People were facing inconvenience due to traffic jams on the approach road to the tunnel.

Kullu DC Richa Verma said a patrol vehicle had been deployed between Solang and the south portal of the tunnel and it had been declared a tow-away zone to ensure smooth traffic.

Verma said there would be a ban on the operation of snow scooters and ATV vehicles beyond the Solang barrier.

The DC said the time for tourist vehicles going from the Solang barrier to the south portal had been fixed from 9 am to 11 am and from 12 noon to 1 pm. The tunnel would be closed during this period for maintenance. She said tourists would have to come back by 4 pm from the tunnel to Solang.