Manali, May 5
In a relief to tourists visiting the popular hill destination of Manali, the administration has reopened Marhi, one of the region’s famous tourist spots, for vehicular movement. Visitors can now travel up to Marhi and enjoy its scenic beauty, though access to the world-famous Rohtang Pass will remain restricted for the time being.
The decision was taken by Kullu District Magistrate Anurag Chandra Sharma, who issued orders regarding traffic regulation on the Rohtang route. The move aims to ensure public convenience, facilitate smooth tourist movement, and allow uninterrupted road repair and tarring work.
According to SDM Manali Gunjit Singh Cheema, a joint inspection was recently conducted with officials from the police department and the Border Roads Organization. The inspection found that the stretch from Gulaba to Marhi is fit for tourist vehicles. Following this, the committee recommended allowing traffic up to Marhi.
Acting on the recommendation, the district administration has permitted vehicular movement up to Marhi under Section 115 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. However, the permission will be subject to guidelines issued by the National Green Tribunal from time to time.
Officials clarified that vehicular movement beyond Marhi towards Rohtang Pass will remain completely prohibited until further orders.
Meanwhile, to ensure smooth execution of road repair work, the Rohtang route will remain closed every Tuesday for the next two weeks, until May 19, 2026. Authorities have also announced the installation of an additional temporary police barrier at Marhi, in addition to the existing one at Gulaba.
The administration has urged tourists and locals to adhere to the guidelines and plan their travel accordingly to avoid inconvenience and help maintain smooth traffic flow in the region.
