[BoneCollector]

The Administration of Union Territory of Laddakh has issued a notification on 6th August 2021 wherein Indian nationals don't need an Inner Line Permit to visit protected areas of Laddakh like Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Tsommorri Lake and Aryan villages.

Link

News article

Laddakh police has also launched tourist police and are using the new Creta for the same.

I don't know how good is this decision considering these areas would now get too many tourists and it will lead to pollution.

[saikarthik]

A very good news, but the Ladakh police should have been given some advise on procuring their cars - not a soft utility vehicle but rugged, get them anywhere utility vehicle like the Thar. I know they would have thought about their utility and these cars may serve a different purpose, but still!

I always wanted to see a Thar in the police colors and flashing red-blue lights. This was after I watched few movies like battleship with the Wrangler.

A reference picture of Wrangler with police colors:

Originally Posted by BoneCollector

I don't know how good is this decision considering these areas would now get too many tourists and it will lead to pollution.

Will there be restriction by numbers?

OT - Am seeing the LA plates for the first time on an official vehicle.

[AnandB]

Perfect from my upcoming trip next month! Agree with saikarthik they should got different car than a Creta as i read they will be used to help tourists and rescue missions.

[fhdowntheline]

Those Cretas seem to have cost them a pretty penny. Judging from the LED headlamps, they seem to be from the higher variants.

[The Driver]

Abolishing Inner Line Permit is a welcome step. It will definitely help the last minute itinerary changers. It will in no ways increase any further pollution as obtaining it was never a problem in the past.

The LA number plate photo --
Mahindra & Mahindra Scorpio,TUV3OO,Bolero Neo should have been given preference. These are some real hardcore, ruff & tuff options rather than these pretty Korean babies..

[sierrabravo98]

Originally Posted by fhdowntheline

Those Cretas seem to have cost them a pretty penny. Judging from the LED headlamps, they seem to be from the higher variants.

Sure, the Creta must have been expensive by erstwhile Indian Government standards but not as much as you may think. The Creta has a near 14% discount off the ex-showroom price on GeM (using which Ladakh police purchased these). Also, government vehicles are exempt from RTO charges, road tax etc. Insurance is also often ignored (depends on the department and its culture). So you are looking at around 13L per vehicle if it is the diesel variant (I remember these being the petrol though so they must have been cheaper).

P.S: Mahindra has not yet listed the Thar on GeM (and from what I could gather, it is not going to list it anytime soon) due to excess demand. So it will be a while before we see Thar donning government/police colours in a widespread role. A few Thar's may be purchased here and there depending on the individual officer in-charge and his/her tuning with the local dealer.

[phamilyman]

Originally Posted by The Driver

Abolishing Inner Line Permit is a welcome step. It will definitely help the last minute itinerary changers. It will in no ways increase any further pollution as obtaining it was never a problem in the past.

Perfectly said

The only harmed are agents else folks who wanted to go, always applied and got it. I do not know anyone who ever failed to secure an ILP!

You need robust policing and better data management using myGate nobrokerhood like apps rather than paperwork that just rots in some govt office.