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
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
