In a move which can at best be described as bureaucratic fumbling and local favoritism, Himachal Government has decided to ban vehicles registered outside Himachal Pradesh, from plying on the Manali – Rohtang Pass route!
While the vehicles from out of state have been completely barred from traveling to Rohtang Jot, an exception has been made in case the vehicle is heading to Ladakh, Lahaul or Spiti. In which case, they will need to get permit from the Sub-Divisional Magistrates Office in Manali during working hours (10AM to 5PM, Monday to Saturday (barring second Saturdays and Government Holidays).
As per Himachal Government, this move comes amidst rising congestion en route to Rohtang Pass and accidents, which are primarily caused by vehicles from outside Himachal Pradesh. Ironically, Himachal Government has decided to take this decision, as the tourist season in Manali and other parts of Himachal Pradesh, comes to an end with the schools in North India, opening after month and a half long school vacations!
Of course as far as us travelers heading to Ladakh or Spiti are concerned, we would now have to either waste half a day or even a full day, to get the permit made or go through an agent, countless of whom are bound to come up, to take advantage of this situation and make a quick buck!
An update on the above situation, as per fellow BCMTian Vicky, he is heading to Ladakh and has gotten the permit for Rohtang Pass. Permit is not needed for two wheelers.
5 Comments
Thanks for info., well it should not be for private vehicles plying to Rohtang.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-27/india/29708487_1_manali-rohtang-manali-hoteliers-association-manali-hoteliers-association
Pls help getting details.
🙂
It is applicable for private vehicles from outside Himachal Pradesh, however not applicable on motorcycles.
Fellow BCMTians have taken permit from the SDM office in Manali for their private vehicles and only after showing the permit at the Kothi Check Post, were they allowed to proceed!
Yogesh,I am planning to go Leh in july end week. And initially my plan was to use my own bike but after this permit thing i was planning to rent. Now after your this post do i still require to take the permit or is it not applicable for bikes.
thanks
Well they are creating confusion at the moment over this. When a fellow BCMTian had gotten permit, they had said that there is no need for bikers to get permit, but said the opposite thing to someone over the phone. Better call up Manali SDM at 01902-254100.
I think Himachali drivers are not good drivers in the plains of Chandigarh, Punjab, Harayana, Delhi or rest of the India. I am sure that most of them will fail in the driving test conducted by the Chandigarh Traffic Police. They do not have lanes in Himachal so not expert in lane driving, which can lead to accidents.
All the drivers whose vehicle is register in Himachal Pradesh or own a Himachal state driving license should be banned in the rest of the India, in the circumstance, as decided by the Himachal Pradesh Government.
This is discrimination. I don’t think that it is legal according to the constitution of India.