Himachal Pradesh administration has banned the non-Himachali vehicles beyond Kothi village in Kullu district. Tourist vehicle who are willing to go to Leh through Rohtang pass have to get permit from the department. Deputy Commissioner of Police of Kullu B.M. Nanta said the decision has been taken after looking at the increased number of accidents in the hilly region, as drivers are not well trained.
“The administration has taken the decision that all the vehicles registered other than Himachal Pradesh will not be allowed to go beyond Kothi village and we are trying that those tourists are ferried through the vehicles registered in Himachal Pradesh because the drivers who come form other states are not much trained to drive in hilly region, which leads to accidents,”
Vehicles registered outside the state want to move towards Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh in northern Jammu and Kashmir state, they will have to seek permission from sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), else a penalty will be slapped on them.
The administration claims to have taken the decision with the aim to reduce vehicular rush and to save the fragile ecology in the region.
However, the highway would remain closed for all vehicles, including Himachal registered vehicles, every Tuesday as before.
