HRTC starts Lahaul-Kullu bus service via Atal tunnel

In a big relief to the people of Himachal Pradesh, bus service connecting Lahaul and Kullu via the newly opened Atal Tunnel commenced on Friday. The bus service through Atal tunnel will reduce the travel time between Lahaul and Kullu.

Kullu:After the opening of Atal Tunnel Rohtang, Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) at Keylong depot started a new bus service on Lahaul-Kullu route on Friday. The new route has been a long pending demand of the local people and tourists.

Muti-axle buses manufactured Volvo and Scania and other large-body luxury buses will now be able to reach Lahaul-Spiti headquarters. Earlier too, HRTC and some private operators tried many times to start bus services on this road via Rohtang Pass but it failed. Hilly, steep roads with narrow bends in the route via Rohtang pass stopped multi-axled buses from plying in the route.

RM Mangal Chand of HRTC Keylong depot said that this bus will start from Keylong at 6 am and will reach Kullu at 10 am. After staying in Kullu for the whole day, the bus will leave from Kullu for Keylong at 4 pm.

Now the local residents will be able to reach Kullu and complete their work in a day and to return to their home in the evening. The fare of the bus has been fixed at Rs 460. While this bus service will save time and money for people and there will be no need to take a taxi from Kullu to Lahaul.

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Generally, the people of Lahaul are compelled to take taxis at expensive prices to return from Kullu but now the Atal Tunnel will provide a new driving experience. At present, there are only short bus services on this route. The commencement of new bus services will reduce the distance between Manali and Keylong by 46km and save time for the commuters.

Lahaul residents Premchand, Sukhadayal and Ramesh Lal said that after the formation of Atal Tunnel Rohtang, the common people will benefit from the commencement of bus service between Lahaul and Kullu. Chand added that on getting approval, this bus will run between Keylong and Manali twice a day.

Tourists throng in large number in Keylong and other places in Lahaul and they had to hire a taxi. But now, they can use the bus service which will save Rs 100 per passenger in one-way travel. The tunnel will also save time and money of the residents who transport goods and essential commodities.

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