February 25, 2022: The tussle between Leh and Manali Bikers’ Associations over tourism activities seems to be easing as commercially registered motorbikes from both territories will be allowed to enter each other’s territories but only along the national highway. However, restrictions on private bikes will continue as usual.
The different tourism-based unions and associations in Ladakh do not allow taxis from other states to ply on its internal routes connecting the popular sightseeing places like Pangong lake, Khardungla pass, Nubra Valley, Tsomoriri, etc.
The taxis are allowed to ply on only Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh national highways. Only private cars are allowed to go anywhere in Ladakh. However, both private and commercially registered motorbikes registered outside Ladakh being used for tourism purposes are not allowed on internal roads.
After a recent dispute between the bike unions of Leh and Manali, the bikes from Manali side were not being allowed to enter Ladakh, and similarly bikes from Ladakh were not being allowed to enter Himachal. This was hurting the tourism business of both the regions and tourists were being harassed. The talks to resolve the matter remained unsuccessful.
The officials of the Manali Bikers Association and Ladakh Biker Cooperative Association had a meeting on the issue in Leh on Friday (February 25, 2022). And it was decided that commercial bikes from both regions will be allowed on the Leh-Manali national highway. It was decided in the meeting that tourists who ride rented private bikes will not be allowed as it is unauthorized.
Manali bikers association general secretary Tenzin Bodh said this is for the first time that both the unions have come on the same platform to resolve the issue.
“Now it has been decided that movement of bikes will be allowed only on the Leh-Manali national highway. Commercially registered bikes will be allowed. However, the bikers will have to carry vouchers issued by the unions, failing to which the bike from one union cannot enter another territory,” he said.
The Manali-Leh highway is popular among adventure-loving tourists for bike tours. Thousands of bikers use this highway during the summer season. But due to many restrictions, tourists renting bikes from Manali were allowed to take them only up to Sarchu, the border between Himachal and Ladakh.
They were forced to hire bikes from Leh to cover the remaining stretch. The operators from Leh used to send bikes to Sarchu in trucks after covering a distance of 252km to bring tourists to Leh. Similarly, bikes from Leh were allowed to go upto Sarchu and they had to leave bikes at Sarchu and ride another bike brought from Manali. The whole process was tedious, risky and very expensive.
Tag: Manali Leh bike
Boundary dispute heat burns tourism business
July 27, 2021: It is not just the authorities in Himachal and Ladakh who are engaged in boundary dispute, but tourism operators are also fighting over entering each other’s areas.
Manali-Leh highway is heaven for adventure seeking motorbikers who throng here between June and September to experience the thrilling adventure of riding on daunting road. But not anymore. The biking associations of Leh and Manali are having another dispute over the area.
While operators in Manali refused to allow bikes from Ladakh to come to Manali, Ladakh operators are not allowing bikers from outside to ride to Nubra, Pangong and other sightseeing places of Ladakh. After a long dispute, both the unions have come to the conclusion that bikes from both Ladakh and Himachal will not cross boundary at Sarchu. The rule is now applicable on all the non-Ladakhi bikes.
All Ladakh Motorcycle Operator Co-Operative Ltd has alleged that everything was going smooth and bikes from both sides were being allowed to pick up and drop clients but now Manali bikers association is not allowing them to pick up or drop in Manali. In a notice, the bikers union has asked all biking agencies that both unions will not enter each other’s territory.
Manali Bikers Association said the local operators were requesting the association in Ladakh to let their bikes go to all places in Ladakh but they denied their proposal. “We had then asked them at least not to come to Manali to pick up tourists with bikers as it will leave us jobless. As there was no consent, the result is our bikes cannot go to Ladakh and their bikes cannot come to Himachal.”
The decision has badly affected the multi-crore adventure tourism industry of both Himachal and Ladakh. While thousands of riders used to enjoy the thrilling experience starting from Manali, the business has witnessed a sharp downfall. However, tourists are enjoying bike rides in Ladakh by riding to Pangong lake, Khardungla pass, Nubra Valley, Turtuk and Tso Moriri.
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