Manali: A three month waiver for plying of diesel vehicles to Rohtang Pass came as a relief for tour and taxi operators here but the National Green Tribunal (NGT) stiff congestion charge imposed for using the Manali – Rohtang route has caught them high and dry.
The green tribunal in its order earlier in the week has directed that every vehicle passing through check posts be subjected for a pollution level check and only those vehicles be permitted to get to the 3000 meters plus Rohtang Pass which confer to the permitted emission (BS – IV) standards. No overloading is permitted.
The NGT order has also restricted the number of vehicles to 1000 (600 Petrol, 400 Diesel) that are to be permitted on a first come, first serve basis for using the Manali – Rohtang route on any given day. Besides, the permitted vehicles would be levied an environmental compensation fee at the rate of Rs 1000/- for petrol & Rs 2500/- for diesel vehicle. A vehicle with a carrying capacity of more than 6 passengers would need to cough up Rs 5000/- as environment compensation fee. The heavy charge is only for a one time entry.
The green fee collected would have to be kept in a separate account that has to be utilized only for the purpose of restoration of ecology and environment in the defined eco-sensitive area.
The tribunal has directed the state authorities to ensure deployment of appropriate staff for regulating traffic congestion between Vashist village and Rohtang Pass.
Speaking to Hill Post, Raj Kumar Dogra, President Manali Luxury Coach Owners Association said, “permitting plying of limited diesel vehicles after imposing so high congestion charges is bound to hit the tourism trade here,”
The taxi operators too are not happy with the green diktat. “Most taxi owners cum drivers earn their yearly livelihood in the summer tourist season as Rohtang Pass is the main tourist destination. By restricting the number of vehicle access, over 60 per cent of taxi operators would have to wait for two days for their turn,” said Hari Singh, a taxi owner cum driver.
Manali alone has over 3000 taxis that are making a living out of tourism in the valley.
Sonu Rana, another taxi operator said, “tourists visit Manali only to see the snow on Rohtang pass. Where over 3,000 vehicles used to ply the Manali-Rohtang road during peak time, reducing the number to 1000 vehicles means many tourists would have to return without getting to the snow points on the pass.”
Makerdvaj Sharma, general secretary of Manali taxi union disclosed to Hill Post that there were very few vehicles compliant with BS-4 emission standards available in the valley which would only add to the woes of the transport needs during the tourist season.
Sanjay Dutta, an engineer by qualification but is a journalist by choice.
He has worked for the premier new agency Press Trust of India and leading English daily Indian Express.
With more than a decade of experience, he has been highlighting issues related to environment, tourism and other aspects affecting mountain ecology.
Sanjay Dutta lives in a village close to Manali in Kullu valley of Himachal.
Just one look at the second photo accompanying the article indicates how bad the situation is, and how overdue the Tribunal order is. No arguments about adverse effects on tourism can ever justify the despoliation of the magnificent Rohtang Pass or its environs. It HAS to be protected-it doesn’t belong to us only but also to future generations. The state govt. should now work overtime to install the aerial from Palchan to Rohtang, which has been hanging fire for the last five years under pressure from the taxi and bus operators of Manali. This is the only viable solution. In fact, the Green Tribunal should ORDER the state govt. to expedite this project and set a firm timeline for its completion, instead of allowing it to seek extensions and exemptions. It should also set up a monitoring committee of local experts( in environment, like the GB Pant Institute) to ensure that its orders are followed.
@Rajneesh NGT was formed in 2010. So NGT was not sleeping but was waiting to be born??
@ ABHILASH – So its an Obligation on Public to be formed ? And snatch right to Livelihood of People and Destroy Manali as a destination ? Pollution is just confided to Manali only ?
Rohtang belongs to people of Lahaul and kullu first,how NGT can confirm this one side decision , stopping taxis means stopping source of income of 60 % of youth of manali which can lead increase in frustration and criminal activities . Govt should take actions against NGT .this is himachal and we also have our rights .why NGT is sleeping in case of other cities where implementation of CNG and other electric vehicles is possible