Now that NGT has banned private vehicles from entering the Rohtang pass, what route should I take?

I had planned to take a road trip from Delhi to Ladakh on my Royal Enfield from 31st August to 13 September. But I came across the news that the National Green Tribune (NGT) has banned private vehicles from entering the Rohtang pass.

But the article also mentions:

Kullu Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kanwar told IANS that the ban would not be applicable on the vehicles bound for Lahaul-Spiti district and Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir via Rohtang Pass.

and:

Kanwar said strict action would be initiated against the motorists who are found visiting the Rohtang Pass on the pretext of visiting Lahaul-Spiti or Ladakh.

Can somebody suggest what could be done in the above situation? Please address the following:

Is it clear for sure that tourists who are headed for Ladakh won't be blocked from entering the Rohtang pass? If so, how would the authorities confirm that the tourist is headed for Ladakh?
If you suggest against taking this route, can you suggest the alternative route, like Delhi-Srinagar-Leh route, and the current situation thereof?

Best Answer

You can take the Atal tunnel route. The recently inaugurated Atal Tunnel has shortened the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km and drive time by around seven hours.

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Answer 2

Is it clear for sure that tourists who are headed for Ladakh won't be blocked from entering the Rohtang pass? If so, how would the authorities confirm that the tourist is headed for Ladakh?

There is no way to stop this from what I know. What about those who really plan to go to Ladakh but 100kms into the journey they get a phone call from home about some urgent situation that needs them to return immediately? Government cannot do much on that route except for charging every one and not just those who visit Rohtang pass alone.

If you suggest against taking this route, can you suggest the alternative route, like Delhi-Srinagar-Leh route, and the current situation thereof?

Have a look at the differences and see which one you like and decide Srinagar Leh route vs Manali Leh route.

Delhi Srinagar Leh roads are in a lot better condition as compared to Manali Leh road simply because Srinagar route is used by the armed forces on a daily basis and is used to transport defense equipment and other supplies every day where as Manali road is mainly used by tourists and locals. I have been to Leh both ways and find that Manali route is more scenic and I did not find much traffic on that route where as Srinagar route is normally busy.

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