Taxi and Tourism Unions Thank MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur for Allowing 4×4 Vehicles to Rohtang Pass.
Shimla:
The Manali Taxi Operators Union, Himachal Pradesh Travel Agents Association, and Taxi Maxi Operators Union have expressed their gratitude to Manali MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur for facilitating permission for 4×4 vehicles to ply to Rohtang Pass.
Representatives of the Manali Taxi Operators Union, led by Rajkumar Dogra, Himachal Pradesh Travel Agents Association President Heera Lal Thakur, and Taxi Maxi Operators Union President Ram Ratan Sharma stated that the district administration’s earlier permission for vehicles to travel to Rohtang Pass was scheduled to end on December 28. However, due to favorable weather conditions, the unions approached MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur with a request to extend the permission.
Acting promptly, the MLA took up the matter with the Deputy Commissioner, Kullu, and issued directions to allow 4×4 vehicles to continue operating towards Rohtang Pass. Following this, the Deputy Commissioner issued immediate written orders permitting 4×4 vehicles to travel to Rohtang Pass until January 2, subject to weather conditions. It was clarified that in case of adverse weather, vehicular movement would be restricted again.
Rajkumar Dogra stated that this decision would benefit not only the taxi unions but also hoteliers, snow scooter operators, horse riding associations, coat-boot vendors, paragliding operators, skiing service providers, photographers, and other stakeholders linked to Manali’s tourism sector. He added that Rohtang Pass remains a major attraction for tourists visiting Manali, and the permission is expected to significantly increase tourist inflow.
Another union representative remarked that the decision to allow vehicles to Rohtang Pass has come as a “lifeline” for tourism stakeholders. He noted that due to floods over the past five months, tourism-related businesses in Manali had been facing severe hardships. The tourism season had almost come to a standstill after the floods.
Leaders of various tourism associations, including the Manali Hoteliers Association, Paragliding Association, Snow Scooter Association, Coat-Boot Association, Horse Association, and Manali Vyapar Mandal, have collectively extended their thanks to MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur. They appreciated his proactive approach and sensitivity towards the issues of the tourism industry, stating that his timely intervention has brought much-needed relief to Manali’s tourism-dependent economy.
