Cabbi's strike ended in Manali

Manali, May 17: A day before the strike in Himachal Pradesh Tourist resort, 2,000 taxi drivers closed on Wednesday. Travelers' vehicles were allowed to move to snow-covered hills in Upper Manali. Hundreds of tourists have suffered a tsunami union Tuesday against a limit of 34 km to the Rohtang Pass. "The administration has accepted our demand, so we have decided to call off the strike," Raj Kumar Dogra, President of the Him-aanchal Taxi Operators Union, told. He said the taxis were now plying normally. However, the Rohtang Pass was shut for the tourists.

Earlier, the administration had allowed tourist taxis to reach till Gulaba, which is currently bereft of a snow cover and is some 26 km from here. The striking taxi drivers were demanding that the tourist vehicles be allowed to reach up to Marhi, which is just eight km ahead of Gulaba, where the tourists could enjoy the snow. Their plea was that it was only the snow that was attracting the tourists to Manali this season.

Auto operators and private mini bus operators of Manali had also joined the protest. The picturesque Rohtang Pass, located in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas and 52 km from here, is a major attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists. Till mid June, it is covered in snow. Official sources said currently vehicles carrying locals and government officials, who are bound for Lahaul-Spiti district, are allowed to ply across the Rohtang Pass, located at an altitude of 13,050 feet in Kullu.

The Rohtang Pass, which connects Manali with Jammu and Kashmir with Leh, will be closed for traffic for four months each year due to heavy snowfall. Reopened for traffic in late April this year. It also plays an important role in the armed forces movement in Ladakh. The weather in Rohtang Pass is strict. Summer can also trigger conditions such as the sudden fall in temperature and winter.