Manali, May 20
In a major relief for tourists reeling under intense heatwave conditions in the plains, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has reopened the iconic Rohtang Pass route, reviving one of Himachal Pradesh’s most sought-after summer destinations.
With temperatures soaring between 44 and 45 degrees Celsius in several parts of north India, tourists are flocking to the snow-clad heights of Rohtang Pass, situated at an altitude of 13,050 feet above sea level. Considered the gateway to Lahaul-Spiti, the pass continues to attract domestic and foreign visitors seeking respite from the scorching heat.
BRO teams working simultaneously from Manali and Koksar succeeded in reconnecting the route after cutting through snow walls ranging from five to 20 feet high. The snow clearance machinery from both sides has now merged at Rohtang Top, making the road fully motorable.
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Officials said nearly 1,200 permitted vehicles are reaching Rohtang daily. Earlier, tourist vehicles were allowed only up to Rahninala beyond Marhi, forcing visitors to stop nearly four kilometres short of the pass. With the reopening of the final stretch, traffic congestion near snow points is expected to ease considerably.
Although the district administration has yet to issue a formal notification, permit slots are being booked rapidly through the Tourism Department’s online portal. Tourism stakeholders are expecting a sharp rise in visitor numbers after the official opening announcement.
BRO officials said snow clearance in the parking area is still underway. A joint inspection by the administration and BRO will be conducted before issuing a formal traffic notification.
SDM Manali Gunjeet Singh Cheema said the route would be inspected shortly and a report submitted to the Deputy Commissioner for further orders.
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