Rohtang Pass issue would be taken up with NGT: Virbhadra

With locals opposing Palchan-Rohtang ropeway, Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said he himself was not in favour of the project and will take it up with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) so it could be resolved.
The NGT has directed the state to construct a ropeway to reduce pollution caused by automobiles.
At a public meeting at Bahang (Manali) in Kullu district, he said that the state government has received objections from representatives of gram panchayats and was determined to find out some amicable solution, under the directions of the NGT.
Singh said that the orders of the NGT to reduce traffic congestion have affected those who earn their livelihood from small kiosks and dhabas en-route Rohtang, besides the taxi operators but climate change was perhaps due to global warming and not vehicular traffic.

He said that environment is a big issue and a major concern, the traffic should be minimised on this route but not stopped at all and urged the BJP leaders to cooperate with the government for resolving this issue instead of politicising it.
Kullu-Manali was known worldwide for its tourism potential and the government was committed to exploit the vast tourism potential, he added.

Referring to AIIMS, he said the fate of AIIMS was hanging in air due to infighting of BJP leaders on whether to open it at Bilaspur or shift it to other place, despite the fact the state government has given enough land as required.

Singh announced fire station for Patli-Kuhl and upgrade of civil hospital in Manali to 75-bed hospital.
He also announced to provide adequate funds for construction of Manali-Aleu bridge.
Earlier, he laid foundations stones of several projects of Irrigation and Public Health, PWD and other departments.