MANALI: Anticipating heavy winter snowfall in Rohtang , the Kullu district administration has stopped issuing vehicle permits to go to Rohtang, Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi and Ladakh.All vehicles are required to obtain online permit to go to Rohtang and beyond following the National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines. Rohtang pass is receiving light snowfall for the last few days and the administration has blocked the permit booking portal. A large number of tourists, who wanted to see snow at Rohtang, were not allowed to cross Gulaba check post on Thursday."Sudden snowfall may trap vehicles and may put tourists in trouble. That is the reason why tourist permits are not being issued," Manali sub-divisional magistrate Hemraj Bairwa said. The officials said Rohtang could experience sudden snowfall and blizzards that might prove fatal for tourists, who were not acquainted with the hidden dangers of snowfall in isolated areas.However, hoteliers and taxi operators have not welcomed this step and said it was too early to stop tourist movement to Rohtang. While taxi operators met police officials in Manali, a team of hoteliers had a meeting with the deputy commissioner to request him to make a mechanism that tourists could see Rohtang but can be stopped from going beyond Gulaba in case of inclement weather conditions.Manali deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Puneet Raghu said Rohtang had experienced snowfall on Wednesday when he and his team had to convince tourists to go back to Manali. "Local taxi operators are well versed with the conditions after snowfall and cooperated with the police. But most of the tourists are unaware of the danger how the cars will not move after snow starts accumulating on the road and they can be stuck."According to sources, the Kullu DC has called a meeting of top administration officials where they will discuss about tourist permits and preparations for winter. There is a possibility that tourists may be allowed to go towards Rohtang on sunny days only if they follow guidelines.Meanwhile, the Lahaul-Spiti administration has written to the Leh deputy commissioner to not allow traffic movement from Ladakh towards Himachal as a layer of ice has deposited on the road making driving risky. Also, the administration has fixed time for local vehicles to cross Rohtang.Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Deva Singh Negi said, "Rohtang has become dangerous post snowfall. All vehicles crossing Rohtang would be allowed from Marhi and Koksar sides only between 9am and 4pm every day when icing is comparatively less. Emergency vehicles, like ambulances, would be allowed before or after this time only after seeking permission from the administration," he added.

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