By:Himvani
In order to get rid of the long queues outside the authority to seek permit for vehicles to visit snow points at 13050 feet high Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul Spiti, the district administration has started issuing of on line permits via SMS.
Deputy Commissioner Kullu Rakesh Kanwar has said that they had mooted out proposal to reduce the long queues outside the windows so that soon after getting SMS on mobile the tourists could move ahead for Rohtang pass.
This decision has been taken by the National Green Tribunal, which has earlier restricted movement of tourist vehicles to 1000 vehicles however during the peak season about 2000 to 3000 tourists cabs visit the snow point everyday.
However the taxi operators were lamenting this decision which is now causing at least a week’s delay to get the permit. After confirmation of SMS proof the permit could be shown at the Gulaba barrier.But on the other hand people are saying that the process of online booking may reduce corruption in giving permits.
“According to the new policy 500 commercial vehicles from Manali, 100 commercial and 100 private vehicles from other parts of the state and 300 from outside can visit Rohtang Pass daily. Vehicles bound for this would not cover Lahaul but then those misusing the Lahaul permit will be heavily penalized” confirms Mr.Kanwar.
