Rohtang Pass

Nearly 1,000 vehicles were stranded near the Atal Tunnel on March 15 due to a sudden snowfall in Himachal Pradesh. Rescue operations are underway to assist tourists and commuters affected by the heavy snow and slippery road conditions. Authorities are regulating traffic and advising against unnecessary travel in the mountains.

Heavy snowfall near Himachal Pradesh's Atal Tunnel stranded over a thousand vehicles, prompting a large-scale rescue and snow clearance operation. Authorities worked to free tourists caught in the sudden blizzard, with many spending hours in freezing conditions. The region remains under an Orange Alert for further unstable weather.

Thousands of tourists were rescued after being stranded by heavy snowfall near Atal Tunnel and in Lahaul-Spiti. A joint operation by police and BRO worked tirelessly to guide over 1,000 vehicles back to Manali. The region experienced significant snowfall, causing road blockages and a sharp drop in temperatures, with more weather alerts issued.

While India's plains welcome spring in March, the Himalayas retain their winter charm. Travellers can still experience snow-covered landscapes in popular destinations like Gulmarg, Auli, Sonamarg, Lachung, and Manali. These locations offer a chance to enjoy winter's beauty with fewer crowds, making it an ideal time for a final snowy escape before summer fully arrives.

NEERI has also proposed that tourist activities should be restricted to areas of ecological importance like natural habitats of endangered species of plants and animals.

Kullu administration has ordered to reopen the highway up to Marhi just below Rohtang Pass from Wednesday onwards. Issuing orders, Kullu Deputy Commissioner Ashutosh Garg said the Manalirohtang highway was closed beyond Kothi on the recommendation of Border Roads Organisation, Bro. and Subdivisional Magistrate, Manali on November 21. "Manali SDM DSP and Bro officials on December 21 had conducted a recce of the highway up to Marhi and found it suitable for general movement. The road was slippery at some places due to icing which has been cleared by Bro. The Bro has also agreed to help in traffic movement on the road until next snowfall." he said. The DC said tourists and local taxi operators will have to adhere to some strict guidelines to be able to travel on this road. Only four-wheel drive vehicles will be allowed beyond Kothi between 10am and 4pm while other vehicles will be allowed after 12pm to 4pm. "The Sdm and DSP at Manali will have the authority to suspend the traffic movement anytime after consultation with Bro to ensure public safety." said Garg. Tourists can see some snow in some areas near Beas Null

Two rescue posts were set up on either sides of Rohtang Pass today to ensure safety of people crossing the 15,050 ft pass, which has been officially closed for vehicular traffic for the winter.

The will to see snow, the tedious task of generating online permits to visit Rohtang areas, and tourists being stopped 17km before Rohtang Pass have created chaotic conditions in Manali, leading to scuffles between tourists and local authorities.

A trip to Rohtang Pass in the Himalayas proved fatal for a six-year-old girl from Gurgaon who was travelling with her family in their private car on Sunday. Had the girl been given timely first-aid, the unfortunate incident could have been averted, said the girls father, Amit Malik.

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.

The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) conducted successfully the trial run of its bus on Rohtang Pass. A bus from Keylong crossed the pass without any incident.

With growing influx of tourists to Rohtang since 1990, the stretch between Manali and Rohtang Pass has witnessed a lot of construction activity, including mushrooming of hotels, restaurants and dhabas.

Rohtang Pass, the main summer tourist destination of Himachal, is expected to open for tourists by end of this month and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has started clearing snow from the Manali-Leh highway.

Thanks to the opening of Atal Tunnel, less than 500 vehicles, both tourist and non-tourist , are going daily to Rohtang Pass these days and the fragile ecology of the mountain pass, which was threatened by tourist crowd in recent years, is healing itself.