The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) authorities on Friday resumed its bus service between the tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti and Kullu district via Rohtang Pass. The service was suspended on November 2 because of heavy snowfall in the region.
To provide transportation facility to the residents of Lahaul, three buses were started from Kullu to Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti and two from Lahaul side towards Kullu. Tribals, who were stranded either in Kullu or Lahaul-Spiti since November 2, have heaved a sigh of relief.
Following heavy snowfall on November 2, life had come to a standstill in Lahaul-Spiti as a majority of roads were blocked. With the efforts of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), snow was cleared from roads in Lahaul valley and Rohtang Pass was restored for traffic movement on Wednesday. This helped the HRTC in resuming its bus service to facilitate people.
However, people living in Miyar valley still find it difficult to travel as the road leading to the valley has still not been cleared for traffic movement.
Mangal Chand Manepa, Regional Manager, HRTC Depot at Keylong, told that on Friday three buses were successfully started from Kullu towards Keylong and two from Lahaul to Kullu. Generally the Rohtang Pass closes for traffic on November 15 every year, but this year, early snowfall hampered the bus service frequently.
He said the continuity of bus service will depend over the weather condition in the coming days, as Met officials have predicted more snow on November 10 to 12. Similarly in Lahaul valley, the HRTC has resumed the bus service on the Darcha-Udaipur-Keylong route up to Pangi region of Chamba district.
“Due to snow on the road in Miyar valley, the bus service could not be started. Once the road is cleared of snow, the HRTC will resume its bus service,” he said.
Jagdish, Mangal and Savita, natives of Lahaul valley, who travelled towards Kullu from Lahaul side, said it was a big relief for the residents of Lahaul-Spiti. They said the taxi fare was too high from Kullu to Lahaul, which is not affordable.
Road blocked since November 2
Following heavy snowfall on November 2, life had come to a standstill in Lahaul-Spiti, with a majority of the roads being blocked.
With the efforts of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the snow was cleared and the Rohtang Pass was restored for traffic on Wednesday.
This helped the HRTC resume its bus service.
Those living in Miyar are still finding it difficult to commute as the road leading to the valley has still not been opened.
