Tight security ahead of Gandhi’s visit
June 25th, 2010 - 11:45 am ICT by IANS
Shimla, June 25 (IANS) Security has been tightened in Himachal Pradesh ahead of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s trip to Kullu district Monday.
Gandhi, who also heads the Congress party, will lay the foundation stone of Rohtang Tunnel beneath the Rohtang Pass (13,050 feet), the gateway to Lahaul and Spiti district. She will then address a public rally.
“We have beefed up security,” Deputy Commissioner B.M. Nanta told IANS on telephone from Kullu town. He said a Special Protection Group (SPG) team reached Thursday to review security arrangements.
Superintendent of Police (Lahaul and Spiti) S.R. Rana said: “Patrolling has been intensified and special control rooms have been set up to tackle any emergency.”
Lahaul and Spiti shares a border with Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir. It also borders China.
The 475-km Manali-Leh National Highway 21 that passes through the Rohtang Pass will be closed for traffic during Gandhi’s visit.
Nanta said no vehicle bound for Ladakh and Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti would be allowed beyond Kothi, about 30 km from Manali. Similarly, no traffic from Keylong towards Manali would be allowed that day.
The national highway is a major attraction for tourists.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and his Jammu and Kashmir counterpart Omar Abdullah will be present at the stone-laying ceremony of Rohtang Tunnel.
The tunnel will pave the way for round-the-year road access to the Lahaul Valley in Lahaul and Spiti, which otherwise remains cut off by snow for half the year.
It’s expected to be ready by 2015 and will serve as a nerve centre for the Indian Army to carry supplies to Ladakh.
- Manali-Leh highway to shut June 28 - Jun 24, 2010
- Manali-Leh road link may be used round-the-year - Jun 26, 2010
- Snow clearing work begins on Manali-Leh highway - Mar 01, 2011
- Permit must for Manali-Leh travel by non-Himachal vehicles - Jun 26, 2011
- Sonia Gandhi to lay Rohtang tunnel foundation Monday - Jun 25, 2010
- Sonia Gandhi lays foundation stone for Rohtang tunnel - Jun 28, 2010
- Work on Rohtang tunnel partially suspended after snowfall - Nov 21, 2010
- Sonia to lay Rohtang tunnel's foundation stone June 28 - Jun 03, 2010
- Stuck since December, they await Himalayan road's reopening - May 24, 2011
- Rohtang Pass reopens after five months - May 25, 2011
- Luxury bus service between Manali and Leh reopens - Jul 02, 2011
- Rohtang Pass re-opens for traffic - Apr 14, 2010
- Time for pulsating action on Himachal highway - Jun 09, 2011
- Mercury dips, Himachal lakes begin to freeze - Nov 12, 2011
- Working 24X7 to see light at the end of Rohtang tunnel - Jan 15, 2012
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