Extensive administrative preparations and stringent security cordons have been established across Himachal Pradesh ahead of President Droupadi Murmu's official tour scheduled from October 6 to October 8, 2026. The itinerary begins on Tuesday in Bilaspur, where the dignitary is slated to attend the convocation ceremony at AIIMS. Following the academic event, she will travel toward Kullu and Manali later in the evening. To coordinate logistical operations, a high-level review meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Kullu Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Sharma, attended by Superintendent of Police Abhishek S., focusing on foolproof protection while minimizing disruptions for ordinary residents and tourists.
Extensive Police Mobilization and Sector Division
During the administrative briefing, Kullu Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Sharma confirmed that all arrangements for the visit spanning October 6 to 8 have reached completion. The district administration actively appealed to hoteliers, trade associations, and residents across Manali to extend their complete cooperation throughout the presidential tour.
Detailing the law-and-order apparatus, Superintendent of Police Abhishek S. revealed that the township of Manali has been divided into 9 dedicated security sectors. A force comprising 600 police personnel has been stationed across critical vantage points to maintain order. Regarding civic compliance, Superintendent of Police Abhishek S urged, "People and drivers are requested to follow the traffic plan and cooperate with security arrangements." These officers will enforce vehicle diversions and safeguard the movement of the official convoy along designated mountain corridors.
Traffic Restrictions Around Manali, Atal Tunnel, and Hadimba Temple
In addition to engagements within Manali town, President Murmu is scheduled to visit the Rohtang Atal Tunnel and offer prayers at the historic Mata Hadimba Temple. To handle traffic flows without compromising safety, localized barricades and inspection checkpoints have been timed precisely across key intersections. Heavy transport vehicles face targeted movement bans during convoy movements.
Beginning at 11:30 AM, trucks and heavy commercial vehicles heading toward Manali will be halted at the NGT barrier. Later at 12:15 PM, vehicular transit above the SASE main gate will face temporary restrictions. Commencing at 8:00 PM, heavy freight vehicles traveling between Manali and Lahaul-Spiti in either direction will be routed through ground diversions. This heavy-vehicle diversion scheme will remain operational continuously until 1:00 PM on October 7.
Regulations for October 7 Across the Rohtang Corridor
On October 7, movement near the Atal Tunnel North Portal Bridge in Sissu will be actively regulated starting at 6:30 AM. Passenger vehicles traveling from Lahaul-Spiti into Manali will be allowed passage strictly through the higher Rohtang Pass. Simultaneously at 7:00 AM, heavy transport vehicles aimed toward Lahaul-Spiti will be stopped at the NGT barrier.
By 8:00 AM, specialized police checkpoints will turn active at prominent junctions including Log Huts Chowk, Manalsu Curve, Main Chowk-Ram Bagh, Mission Hospital, Old Bridge, Bhootnath Chowk, Vashisht Road, Nehru Kund Bridge, Palchan Bridge, and the Palchan Chowk-Rohtang Road intersection. When the presidential motorcade advances toward the Atal Tunnel via Palchan, standard vehicular traffic will resume roughly five minutes after the convoy clears the section. Similar short-term holds will regulate traffic during the return journey.
Hadimba Temple Visit and Bilaspur Alternative Route
Later on October 7, between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM, the President will visit the Mata Hadimba Temple. Traffic curbs during this window will focus around Ram Bagh Chowk, Ghatotkach Chowk, Manalsu, and Log Huts Chowk, with vehicles cleared to proceed only after the convoy departs, concluding at 5:00 PM.
Earlier, on October 6, Bilaspur will implement a specialized detour plan operational between 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Traffic will bypass congested areas via Ghabas Chowk, Kandarour, Bhager, Auhar, Rishikesh, Bharari, and Open Air Jail Jabal. Essential utility vehicles, including ambulances, emergency transports, government cars, and AIIMS hospital patients, are fully exempt from all travel restrictions.
Departure Protocols for October 8
The tour concludes on October 8, when President Murmu departs the Manali Circuit House at 10:00 AM for the SASE helipad. Heavy transport curbs will trigger early at 7:00 AM across the NGT barrier, Palchan, and Atal Tunnel checkpoints. By 9:00 AM, robust barricades will be placed at Mission Hospital, New Bridge, Old Bridge, Bhootnath Chowk, Vashisht Road, and above the SASE main gate to maintain a secure path for departure.
