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About
Rohtang Pass |
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Rohtang Pass is a high mountain pass on the eastern Pir Panjal
Range of the Himalayas which is about 51 kms from Manali. It
connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of
Himachal Pradesh, India. Manali-Leh Highway, a part of NH 21,
transverses Rohtang Pass.
Rohtang pass is an ancient trade route between the people on
either side of Pir Panjal. The local name for this pass is a
common name of pass. There are many other passes in Lahaul and
Spiti which have specific names (Kunzam La, Baralacha La,
etc.). This is reminiscent of the fact that this must have
been the oldest and most frequented pass in the region, or the
fact that it is the main pass leading from one cultural region
to another, quite different one, to the north.
The pass is open from May to November. It is not particularly
high or difficult to cross on foot by Himalayan standards, but
it has a well-deserved reputation for being dangerous because
of unpredictable blizzards and snowstorms.
National Highway 21 (NH 21), the road through the Kullu
Valley, past Manali and over the Rohtang Pass to Keylong, and
Lahul and on to Leh in Ladakh, has become very busy during the
summer months as an alternate military route, following the
Kargil Conflict in 1999 in addition to tensions in Kashmir.
Traffic jams are common as military vehicles, trucks, and
goods carriers try to navigate the tight roads and rough
landscape which was compounded by snow and ice at certain
points and the large number of tourists vehicles.
Several episodes of the History Channel's Ice Road Truckers
series spin off IRT Deadliest Roads dealt with truckers
crossing the Rohtang Pass to deliver supplies.
With increase in Traffic at Rohtang Valley, Environmentalists
fear its impact on the delicate mountain ecology. Rise in
Average Temperature and consequential melting of glaciers are
also issues of severe concern.
Himachal pradesh government completely barred the vehicles
from out of state from traveling to Rohtang Jot, an exception
has been made in case the vehicle is heading to Ladakh, Lahaul
or Spiti. In which case, they will need to get permit from the
Sub-Divisional Magistrates Office in Manali during working
hours (10am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday (barring second
Saturdays and Government Holidays). |
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Geography of Rohtang Pass |
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The
pass offers a natural divide between the sub-humid/humid Kullu
Valley mainly with Hindu culture in the south and the
arid/semi-arid high-altitude Lahaul and Spiti valleys with a
Buddhist culture in the north. The pass lies on the watershed
between the Chenab and Beas basins. On the southern side of this
pass, the Beas River emerges from underground and flows
southward and on its northern side, the Chandra River, a source
stream of the river Chenab, flows westward. |
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Climate of Rohtang pass |
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Summer temperature are mild and light woolens / cottons are
recommended. In winter, the temperature can drop to below
freezing point when heavy woolens are required.
If you are planning to visit Rohtang pass, then please keep more
amount of food in reserve as there are huge chances of getting
struck in the middle way. And please dont dare to drive on this
route, if you are not aware of driving in snow/mountains. |
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Rohtang road tunnel |
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Due to the military significance of the highway and the
need to keep it open the whole year, the Indian government
began building the $320 million 8.5 km long Rohtang Tunnel
in 2010 to bypass Rohtang pass for creating a much safer
and faster year-around link to Keylong, Lahaul and Spiti
and Leh in Ladakh. The tunnel will also shorten the
distance by about 50 km and reduce the travel time between
the southern and northern faces of Rohtang pass by five
hours. While it now takes 4 to 6 hours to climb, negotiate
and descend the Rohtang pass, it will take only about 30
minutes to travel through the Rohtang tunnel. |
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How To Reach Rohtang Pass |
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By
Rail
The nearest railway station is Joginder Nagar which is about
103 km from Rohtang Pass and 50 km from Manali.
By Road
It is well connected by Himachal Road Transport Corporation
buses that start from Manali and go as far as Leh via Rohtang
Pass and then through Keylong. HRTC, Himachal Pradesh Tourism
Development Corporation and private operators runs both air
conditioned and non air conditioned deluxe coaches. During June
to October, there are regular buses between Manali to Keylong.
By Air
The nearest airport is in Bhuntar which is about 104 km from
Rohtang Pass. Manali falls on the same road, National Highway
21, about 51 km from Bhuntar Airport in Himachal Pradesh. |
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