Finding a cab for local sightseeing in manali will soon turn out to ba difficult task as despite the increasing number of tourists, the number of "deployable" tourist cabs is set to decrease from about 2,500 to less than 2,000 soon.
Tourism entrepreneurs in Kullu-Manali claim that existing taxis in Manali are not sufficient to meet the tourist rush. Consequently, many tourists are not able to find taxis for sightseeing and other transportation needs, they said. The taxi union and some independent travel agents in Manali together have nearly 2,400 taxis. Luxury Coach Union of Manali has nearly 130 mini buses and other large vehicles. Yet, the total number is very less than the actual need, they said.
As the Himachal high court had taken the initiative to save the fragile ecology of Rohtang pass and ordered the government to stop movement of vehicles older than four years on this route, over 30% vehicles here would not be able to provide service. The high court has stated in clear terms that stopping the movement of older vehicles would be in the interest of preserving nature and ensuring eco-friendly tourism, but the government has no arrangements in place so far to provide sufficient transportation facilities to tourists as per a TOI report.
The imbalance between demand and supply is palpable in the city where tourists are spending almost the whole day in search of cabs for sightseeing at Rohtang, Kullu, Manikaran, Naggar and other tourist spots. Himachal government had plans, and high court had also suggested, to run buses between Manali and Rohtang at regular intervals, but the plan is yet to take shape, sources pointed out.
President of Manali Luxury Coach Association, Raj Kumar Dogra, said, "All our coaches are getting booked in one or two days in advance. The major demand (nearly 80%) is for Rohtang pass and we would not be able to serve tourists well after some days, when older vehicles will be banned."
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