The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) recently resumed electric bus services on the popular Manali-Rohtang Pass route. Seats are priced at INR 600, and travellers can make their bookings at the HRTC counter in Manali. By Eshita Srinivas
In a bid to promote sustainable tourism, the HRTC operates electric buses along the Manali-Rohtang-Atal tunnel route in the popular year-round travel destination of Himachal Pradesh. Along the way, it passes through Kothi, Gulaba, Marhi, and Koksar (Lahaul valley), stopping over at Rohtang so tourists can enjoy the snow. Currently, only three buses ply this route. However, more are slated to be added to the fleet based on demand. Tickets are priced at INR 600 both ways from the Manali bus stand.
No special permits needed for tourists on the Rohtang Pass-Manali route
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This transportation provision is vital since only 1,200 vehicles (800 petrol and 400 diesel) are given the permit to head to the Rohtang pass, located at an altitude of 13,050 feet, every day. These mandates have been put in place by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Passes have to be booked online and are hard to come by in the summer, making it difficult for tourists to visit Rohtang or leaving them at the mercy of expensive taxi rides or long waiting periods. Commenting on this, HRTC regional manager D K Narang was quoted by the Times of India as saying, “Tourists travelling in electric buses need not seek a permit.”
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Buses reportedly have a seating capacity of 25 passengers, and each will leave from the Manali bus stand at 8:00 am, 8:30 am and 9:00 am, respectively. The bus gets charged in Manali and uses regenerative braking to recharge before heading back to the depot. D K Narang further stated that once the road condition on the alternative side of Rohtang towards Koksar improves, buses will return to Manali via Koksar and Atal Tunnel, with a stopover in Solang Nullah.
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Tourists travelling to Manali on HRTC buses have been informed of the resumption of these services by the staff. Expecting an increase in demand, the Kullu depot of the HRTC has been equipped with a fleet of 25 electric buses, as per a news report by The Tribune. To book tickets, tourists can head to the HRTC Manali counter.
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