Atal Tunnel, Hidimba Temple routes to witness temporary closures and diversions; Manali divided into nine security sectors, 600 police personnel deployed
Munish Sood
Mandi/ Manali
Traffic movement in and around Manali will be significantly regulated over the next three days as the Kullu administration rolls out an elaborate security and traffic plan for President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Himachal Pradesh from October 6 to 8.
The President will arrive in Bilaspur on Tuesday and attend the convocation ceremony at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), before proceeding to Kullu-Manali in the evening. Her Manali itinerary includes visits to the Atal Tunnel and the Hidimba Devi Temple.
The administration has imposed temporary restrictions, diversions and checkpoints along key routes to facilitate the movement of the presidential convoy and ensure public safety.
A high-level review meeting was held in Manali under the chairmanship of Kullu Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Sharma, with Superintendent of Police Abhishek S. also present.
The Deputy Commissioner said all preparations for the presidential visit had been completed and appealed to tourism stakeholders, local organisations, business establishments and residents to cooperate with the administration during the visit.
Heavy vehicles to face restrictions
As part of the traffic plan, trucks and heavy vehicles heading towards Manali will be stopped at the NGT Barrier from 11.30 am on October 6. Traffic movement will also be regulated near the upper section of the SASE main gate from 12.15 pm.
From 8 pm, heavy vehicles travelling between Manali and Lahaul-Spiti will be diverted through the designated alternate route. The arrangement will remain in force until 1 pm on October 7.
On October 7, traffic regulation will begin early in the morning in the Sissu-Atal Tunnel area. Vehicles travelling from Lahaul-Spiti towards Manali will be permitted only through the Rohtang Pass route, while trucks and heavy vehicles heading towards Lahaul-Spiti will be stopped at the NGT Barrier from 7 am.
From 8 am, security checkpoints will be activated at several locations, including Log Huts Chowk, Manalsu Curve, Main Chowk-Ram Bagh, Mission Hospital, Old Bridge, Bhootnath Chowk, Vashisht Road, Nehru Kund Bridge, Palchan Bridge and Palchan Chowk on the Rohtang road.
Hidimba Temple visit to affect traffic
Traffic movement will also be regulated between 3 pm and 5 pm on October 7 when President Murmu is scheduled to visit the Hidimba Devi Temple.
Restrictions will be imposed around Ram Bagh Chowk, Ghatotkach Chowk, Manalsu and Log Huts Chowk. Normal traffic movement will resume after the presidential convoy passes through the respective stretches.
During the President’s visit to the Atal Tunnel, traffic will be restored approximately five minutes after the convoy crosses the Palchan stretch. Similar restrictions will be imposed during the return journey until the convoy clears the route.
More restrictions on October 8
On October 8, trucks and heavy vehicles will be stopped at the NGT Barrier from 7 am. Heavy vehicles will also be restricted at the Palchan and Atal Tunnel checkpoints.
From 9 am, barricading will be put in place at Log Huts Chowk, Manalsu Curve, Main Chowk-Ram Bagh, Mission Hospital, New Bridge, Old Bridge, Bhootnath Chowk, Vashisht Road and the upper section of the SASE main gate.
Vehicles falling within the presidential convoy route will be temporarily stopped or diverted as required.
Separate traffic plan for Bilaspur
In Bilaspur, a separate traffic plan has been prepared for October 6 from 6 am to 2 pm in view of the President’s AIIMS programme.
Traffic will be diverted through the Ghagas Chowk–Kandrour–Bhager–Auhar–Rishikesh–Bharari–Open Air Jail route. Vehicles of ambulances, VVIPs, government departments and AIIMS patients will be provided necessary exemptions.
Manali divided into nine security sectors
SP Abhishek S said Manali had been divided into nine security sectors, with around 600 police personnel deployed at strategic locations.
The police have urged residents, tourists and motorists to strictly follow the traffic advisory and cooperate with security personnel. The administration has maintained that restrictions will be eased or lifted as soon as the presidential convoy clears the respective stretches.
With thousands of tourists expected to be travelling through the Manali-Rohtang and Lahaul-Spiti corridors, motorists have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly and allow additional travel time during the three-day visit.
