HRTC Lahaul-Delhi 16-hr Volvo service from today

Abhinav Vashisht

Kullu, July 2

Thanks to the Atal Tunnel, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) for the first time will run a Volvo bus between Lahaul and Delhi from tomorrow. Earlier, the HRTC and private Volvo buses used to ply up to Manali, contributing significantly to boosting tourism in the region. Local MLA and Tribal Development minister Ram Lal Markanda is scheduled to flag off the Volvo bus from Keylong.

Mangal Chand Manepa, Regional Manager of HRTC, Keylong depot, said that the bus would depart from Keylong at 3 pm. It would take around 16 hours to reach Delhi with minor halts at Manali and Chandigarh, besides one for dinner.

He said that the bus would depart from Delhi at 7 pm and arrive in Manali the next day around 8.40 am and further reach Keylong by 11.45 am.

Manepa said that the fare for travel to Delhi would be Rs 2,038 from Keylong and Rs 1,684 from Manali.

Lahaul and Spiti Deputy Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said that with the start of the bus service, domestic and foreign tourists coming to the Lahaul valley would get a modern and comfortable travel facility. The availability of Volvo bus service to the tribal district would bring new dimensions to the tourism scenario in the region.

Manali to Chandertaal bus

Besides, Markanda would flag off an ordinary bus on the Manali-Chandertaal route. The bus on this route was being operated for the first time. Generally, only 4X4 vehicles are available to tourists to visit Chandertaal.

Manepa said that the bus starting from Manali would provide economical and safe connectivity to the delightful scenic lake Chandertaal situated at an altitude of 14,100 feet. He added that the minister would also flag off a bus on the Trilokinath-Kaza route on July 4. The service was being started on a trial basis for 15 days to facilitate the local people of Lahaul and Spiti and would be continued if the response was good.

The HRTC Regional Manager said that the minister would also tentatively launch the online booking facility for various routes of Lahaul district tomorrow. This would make the advance booking of seats in buses convenient through the HRTC website. He added that through this initiative, the bus services in the Lahaul valley would be accessible online from anywhere.