The Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu Valley has been opened for vehicular traffic and tourists after remaining closed for almost five months. The state’s main tourist attraction at 13,050 feet, the pass connects Kullu to the tribal district of Lahaul and can be accessed by obtaining a permit. “Arrangements for issuing online permits are in place, and vehicles can get the permit without any delays,” said Yonus Khan, deputy commissioner, Kullu.
He said the permit system was put in place as per directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which took note of the vehicular pollution in the area. Currently, only 800 petrol and 400 diesel vehicles are allowed per day at the pass.
The administration charges INR 500 as permit fee and INR 50 as congestion fee. The online system has been introduced to avoid irregularities in granting permits, which are issued on first-come-first-serve basis.
The system was put in place after authorities received complaints about irregularities and misuse of permits by the operators in connivance with the administration, Khan informed. Cases were also registered by the police against the president of the taxi union last year after it came to the notice that the same permit was being used repeatedly, the deputy commissioner said.
