Odd-even vehicle system to be implemented on Manali-Leh highway

The frequent traffic jams between Manali and Koksar on the Manali-Leh highway have forced the district administration to implement the ‘odd and even’ system to commute from Manali to the tribal district Lahaul Spiti. The system would be implemented from Monday.

The frequent traffic jams between Manali and Koksar on the Manali-Leh highway have forced the district administration to implement the ‘odd and even’ system to commute from Manali to the tribal district Lahaul Spiti. The system would be implemented from Monday.

The ‘odd and even’ system would be implemented from Monday.(HT File Photo)

Talking to HT, deputy commissioner (DC) Lahaul Spiti Vivek Bhatia said, “I was receiving regular reports of vehicles stuck for hours between Manali-Koksar in the snow-bound area right after Border Roads Organisation Authority (BRO) opened the Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul Spiti for traffic. This forced the administration as well as BRO authority several times to conduct rescue operations for stranded visitors to evacuate them to safer places.”

“In view of the safety of people travelling on this route, we decided to adopt the odd and even formula to avoid traffic jam,” he added.

“On odd dates, vehicles would be allowed from Manali side towards Lahaul Spiti while on even dates, vehicles would be allowed from Lahaul Spiti side towards Manali till the end of the month. BRO authority would clear the snow for parking purpose in the next few days, which may help to run smooth traffic for locals moving towards Lahaul Spiti” said DC.

However, it will become clear only after the implementation in the coming days, whether people feel comfortable with the directive or try to infringe it. A number of times the residents of Lahaul Spiti put their life on stake to cross the pass to move in and out of the district.