Manali: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) insistence for setting up a passenger ropeway to Rohtang Pass for reducing vehicular traffic to the popular tourist spot has come unstuck as villagers mandated with issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the contentious project have rejected the proposal at a public meeting conducted by the government authorities here today.
The public meeting organised by the district administration and the tourism department was held at the Manali circuit house.
Members of the Palchan Panchayat, from where the ropeway project is proposed to be constructed, by raising of their hands denied issuing of NOC for the project at the meeting.
Before the meeting started, Sunder Singh Thakur, president of Palchan Panchayat told the media persons present, “I was informed that a public meeting is being organised and all of us were asked to be present. I along cannot take a decision on behalf of the entire village. We will put forth our point of view and let’s see what the villagers have to say.”
After the initial discussion when the issue was put to vote by asking those who were opposed to the project to raise their hands, all hands of the Palchan Panchayat members present went up.
NGT has been repeatedly directing the state government to complete all formalities to set up the ropeway but all necessary clearances for starting the project are still incomplete. Besides residents of Palchan, the villagers of Kothi, Solang, Ruar and others in the area have also been opposing the ropeway project. Some hotel owners and taxi operators are also opposing to the project.
The NGT had summoned the panchayat representatives to appear before it and had directed the state government to submit the status report about the ropeway project at the earliest.
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.
I am appreciate manali villagers decision. Rope way project create unemployment in this village
What an enlightened village – congratulations to the village pradhan for not taking the decision himself.
The Manali people are protesting ropeway to rohtang pass because in this case they will miss the opportunity to cheat the tourists they charge 8000 Rs for rohtang pass by a Maruti Suzuki alto vehicle against the fixed charges I.e. Rs 3500. I have faced the situation .
. NGT must go for ropeway to ease the conditions for tourists.
Ropeway project definetly create unemployment..but tourists won’t suffer..charges from manali to rohtang pass ranges from 5500 to 10000…now u take decision..who earns n how..??
main income sorce of manali people is tourism. and ngt want take this from them. manali people have nothing eles for survive except tourism. manali people have their children & hole family. without tourism how can they earn for live… there is no need of ropeway to rohtang… beacuse ropeway give income to one person. & there is no price of alto taxi 8000 . its onle 3500… 8000 is just a Runoff.. plz dont Infamous manali taxi operators..
Never mind Ajay Srivastava. The people of Himachal has learned cheating from the people coming from outside of Himachal Pradesh….
Rope way can be a solution for traffic and environmental problems but charges they’ve decided per person 5500 to 10000. One can go for helicopter ride up to Kaylong Velly rohtang velly ??
Yes NGT should take own decision about this.because the taxi union and taxi operator doing cheating with innocent guest whos come to Manali for peace and enjoy.but taxi operator doing opposing to guest.
It’s very good decision
people coming from outside of Himachal Pradesh….
Rope way can be a solution for traffic and environmental problems but charges they’ve decided per person 2000 to 3000
I’ve been to Manali, I know why they’re opposing ropeway as this would shatter their income . They provide alto car and charge 5000 to 10k. These use of Cars Making huge traffic and pollution. So,better start Ropeway.