MANALI: Being a political stage for years and having endured tonnes of polluted carbon in recent years on the cost of precious glaciers, flora and fauna, the Rohtang pass has got its substitute as Bhrigu which is likely to connect with Manali by road soon.
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| Bhrigu Lake in Manali |
Bhrigu lake at an altitude of 14,100 feet can be a better option for tourism industry of the state where tourists can find snow round the year. Bhrigu is around 1,000 feet higher than Rohtang pass and also close to Manali. The proposed road which government has accorded its approval would be constructed from Kothi, 14km from Manali. Although Bhrigu is accessible from both Kothi and Vashisht side, but the road was feasible only from Kothi side. A small and temporary road has already built till midway by forest department and the plan is to reconstruct the same.
Three to six thousand vehicles and over 25 thousand tourists visit Rohtang pass every day in summers and help in destruction of the ecology. Many small glaciers have disappeared from Rohtang region in some decades. Given the seriousness and a writ petition filed by an unknown person with Himachal High Court, all non-Himachali vehicles have been banned from plying Manali-Rohtang pass road. The decision was criticized by many people. After opening of the Manali-Bhrigu road, which will be approximately 25-km-long in length, traffic burden will be decreased from Rohtang pass.
Manali was looking for a similar destination to enhance the stay of tourists here, who otherwise go back only after visiting Rohtang pass. The holy lake of Bhrigu was only reachable by hours-long trekking from Gulaba or Vashisht. Only adventure lovers could enjoy the panoramic view from here. Now after building the road, all tourists would get chance to explore the hidden beauty of Himalayas from Bhrigu lake, which is famous for its beautiful camping site.
The tourism entrepreneurs in Manali are happy with the plan and are waiting for its implementation. “This is the best gift that Manali has got since a long time but we shall cheer it only after completion of the project. Road to Bhrigu would definitely boost tourist arrival to Manali,” Manali hoteliers’ association president Anup Thakur said. The Him-Aanchal taxi operators union, the largest taxi union of the state, is also happy with the plan of opening road to Bhrigu. Puran Chand, president of the union, said, “Increase in one more tourist spot would increase income of taxi operators of the state.”
The only drawback of the road would be its closure during snowfall, similar to Rohtang pass. Unlike Rohtang pass where traffic jams cause headache, tourists would be able to reach snow point just after one hour drive even during summers.
