The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has resumed its Leh – Delhi Bus Service on one the longest bus routes.
The bus service was flagged off recently from Keylong, the district Headquarter of Lahaul – Spiti district by SDM Keylong Priya Nagta.
The bus starts from Leh and reaches New Delhi, covering a distance of 1026 kilometers in 36 hours. The bus has to pass through several high passes like Baralacha (16020 ft), Tenglang La (17480 ft) and many other snow bound passes. After the opening of Atal Tunnel, the bus would not pass through the arduous Rohtang Pass (13050 ft).
The service was discontinued last year on September 15 with the commencement of snow season in the region and has been resumed after the men of Border Road Organization (BRO) cleared the snow on the highway.
The Leh – Delhi bus service has also found a place in the Limca Book of World Records as the bus passes through road at 17480 ft with temperature at many places below zero degree on the route.
The bus commences its journey from Leh at 3 am and reaches Keylong at 7 p, m, where it takes a night halt. It starts early in the morning from Keylong and reaches New Delhi in the night. Three drivers are replaced on the way.
The Leh – Delhi bus service is very popular among adventure tourists and local residents as passengers can travel between Leh and Delhi at a very nominal one way fare of Rs 1740.