Great news for travelers planning to travel to Manali, Lahaul Valley and Ladakh; Rohtang Jot has been officially reopened for vehicular traffic.
Deputy Commissioner Lahaul-Spiti district Bir Singh Thakur said Border Road organisation (BRO) maintaining the Manali-Rohtang-Leh national Highway has informed that the Pass has been opened to vehicular traffic.
The GREF (Ground Reserve Engineering Force), a wing of BRO, has opened the Pass about one month in advance and met the deadline of opening the Pass before the polling in four Lok Sabha seats in the state slated for May 7 next.
The Deputy Commissioner said two buses would leave for Keylong from Kullu tomorrow (May 3) morning while another bus would leave from Manali. One bus would leave from Keylong to Manali.
Source: Hindustan Times
It will take some time for Rohtang Jot to stabilize and become safe enough for novice drivers and rider. While Baralacha La (usually the final hurdle in the opening of Manali – Leh Highway) will likely take couple of more weeks to reopen and a lot longer to fully stabilize.
Reports are also abound that the Srinagar – Leh Highway is on the verge of being reopened officially for light vehicles and army is already conducting test runs.
As per the latest order by Green Tribunal, vehicles which are older than 10 years, can no longer travel to or beyond Rohtang Pass. So if you were planning to do Ladakh on your old workhorse, your plans of taking the Manali – Leh Highway might not materialize. While there are reports that local are all set to challenge this order and get it reversed.
However till further update, it is best to avoid taking the Manali route, while going to Ladakh, Lahaul or Spiti Valley.
I will keep posting more updates about the Manali – Leh and Srinagar – Leh Highway, as news becomes available, so make sure to subscribe to email updates.
4 Comments
Can you please tell me if manali leh highway is open now for two wheelers?
No, it isn’t yet open. BRO is working on opening Baralacha La, once it opens, vehicles will be able to reach Leh.
Also cud u tel me if permit is required from manali to leh?
You need permit to cross Rohtang Jot in a non Himachal Registered Vehicle. It can be obtained from Green tax barrier, before Manali or from SDM Office.