In a major breakthrough, 56 years after an IAF’s AN-12 aircraft crashed on the Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh, frozen bodies of four soldiers of the Indian Army were recovered from the wreckage by an Army team in India's longest-running search and recovery operation.
The online web portal to register vehicles and seek passes to visit the most favoured tourist spot in Kullu Manali has also been closed as the snowfall on Diwali was causing freezing of water on the road.
The difficulties increased exponentially due to heavy flow of slurry from crown area to tunnel face leading to frequent disruption of execution of works.
The special vehicle facility began at 6 am in the morning for the passengers who applied online for the same. The decision came after the minister, along with concerned Border Roads Organisation (BRO) authorities, inspected the Manali-Rohtang Road and permitted the vehicles till Rahaninala.
On April 11, the Himachal Pradesh government approached the Ministry of Defence and the Director General (Border Roads) to expedite the snow clearance to facilitate return of farmers to start cultivation and movement of essential supplies and relief material to the Lahaul Valley in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.
Life is difficult in these areas, right from tribal district of Lahaul Spiti, Pangi valley in Chamba district, Bara Banghal in Kangra district, Dodra Kwar in Shimla district to many interior villages in Mandi, Kullu and Sirmaur districts in Himachal Pradesh for lack of development and people face hardships in routine.
Part of Mandi Parliamentary constituency, Pangi area has 16 panchayats with over 13,000 voters, and the state is going to polls in the last phase on 19 May
Shimla and adjoining hill stations of Kufri, Narkanda witness first snowfall of 2019, resulting in road blockages in the upper hill region.
The police personnel have at Gulaba barrier and rescue post at Marhi have braced up to tackle any mishappening.
Manali has Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, Mall Road, Old Manali and Hadimba Temple to attract tourists, however, very few people know it has several hidden destinations like Jana Waterfalls, village, Sajla Waterfall and many more, which lure tourists and nature lovers alike.
