The Himachal Pradesh government’s decision to ban the plying of vehicles registered outside the state towards Rohtang Pass has not gone down well with tourists and hoteliers. The taxi union in Manali, however, has welcomed the decision.

The decision of the Himachal Pradesh government to ban plying of vehicles registered outside the state towards Rohtang pass by stopping them at Manali itself has sparked a row.

While the taxi drivers have welcomed the move sensing good business opportunity, hoteliers are opposing it, fearing low occupancy in future in the wake of the decision.

The Himachal Taxi Operators Union has a fleet of 1,700 cabs and the ban on vehicles registered outside the state will mean good bookings for them, as every day, around 3,000-4,000 vehicles carrying around 20,000 tourists head for Rohtang pass.

However, worried hoteliers held an emergency meeting to discuss the issue and asked the government to withdraw its decision at the earliest.

The government says that besides saving Rohtang from ecological disaster and traffic chaos, it would also make a big difference in the livelihood of locals.

Tourists on their part are startled by the decision. “What if the Punjab government imposes a similar ban on vehicles from Himachal Pradesh,” asked a group of tourists from Punjab.

Kullu SP Abhishek Dular said given the traffic congestion at Kothi, movement of non-Himachali vehicles would be restricted beyond Manali town and to keep an eye on the vehicles, posts have been installed at three places.