Rohtang pass opens for tourists

MANALI: Bringing cheers to thousands of tourists, who throng Himachal to escape the scorching heat of plains, gates of snow-bound Rohtang pass was finally opened for tourists on Sunday. With this, five to ten feet thick blanket of silvery white snow would entertain tourists till mid or late July.
Subsequently, the race to reach the mountain top first vehicles forming a beeline on Manali-Rohtang highway throughout Sunday.The tourist season is now expected to pick up in full swing, as many tourists had reportedly postponed their holiday plans to Manali due to closure of Rohtang pass, sources said.
Border Roads Organization (BRO) had given the road fitness report to Kullu administration on May 22. After making preparations for adequate parking and security, tourists have finally been allowed to go till Rohtang top, the most preferred tourist destination of Himachal.
Meanwhile, BRO is working against odds to keep the highway free of debris and snow and the road has been widened enough to accommodate two vehicles at a time. "Police personnel are camping at Marhi and would patrol Rohtang pass from morning to late evening until each tourist leaves for Manali," Manali deputy superintendent of police, Shamsher Singh, said.
He added that the main job of police would be to protect tourists from any trouble and to ensure smooth movement of traffic. "Depending on the conditions, a police team may shift to camps at Rohtang pass. We are also planning to regulate vehicles at Kothi for smooth movement of vehicles on the congested road," Singh said.