Tourists allowed beyond Sissu

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, December 22

After the opposition by former MLA of Lahaul-Spiti Ravi Thakur, the Lahaul and Spiti administration today allowed the movement of tourists to the Lahaul valley beyond Sissu from Manali.

In the wake of snowfall, the police were not allowing tourists beyond Sissu towards Keylong from Manali in view of public safety. It was affecting the business of tourism stakeholders at Keylong and Udaipur.

BUT WITH RIDERS

• Any tourist vehicle can enter the valley from 10 am to 3 pm through Atal Tunnel Rohtang
• Only those who have booked accommodations will be allowed to move
• The condition will not apply to the local people of Lahaul and Pangi
• Instructions have also been given to drivers to take all precautions in view of the winter season
• The order could also be changed depending on weather alerts
• The HRTC has also resumed Kullu-Keylong bus service

Former MLA had objected to it and urged the administration to allow tourists to move to Lahaul. He had threatened to lead a protest if the authorities failed to pay heed to his demand.

“The district administration should allow movement of tourists beyond Sissu towards Keylong, Udaipur and Darcha via Atal Tunnel from Manali, which will play a crucial role in promoting winter tourism in the valley. The youths of the valley are associated with the tourism industry. They are engaged in snow sports activities for tourists. Many of them are providing home stay facilities to the tourists,” he had said.

In view of the large influx of tourists in the Lahaul valley, the district administration had issued orders under Section 115 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. There are certain conditions for the vehicles entering the valley.

Neeraj Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Lahaul and Spiti, said any tourist vehicle (except two wheelers) can enter the valley from 10 am to 3 pm through Atal Tunnel. Only those tourists will be allowed who have booked accommodation. The conditions will not apply to the local people of Lahaul and Pangi.

The DC said on Christmas and New Year, there was a possibility of surge in the number of tourists. Instructions had also been given to drivers to take all precautions while driving in view of the winter conditions.

He stated that the order could also be modified depending on weather alerts.

The HRTC has also resumed its bus service between Kullu and Keylong, which was suspended after recent snowfall in the region.