Tourists throng Himachal Pradesh, give flood-ravaged state a holiday season to remember

Himachal Pradesh is witnessing a major influx of tourists this holiday season as people throng the state to celebrate Christmas Eve and the upcoming New Year.

Tourists this time have numbered in lakhs, official sources say.

The state's renowned tourist destinations, including the Atal Tunnel Rohtang, spanning 9.2 kilometers and acclaimed as the world's longest at an elevation of 10,000 feet, saw a huge surge in visitor numbers.


Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu welcomed the tourists, acknowledging their presence in the state. He said that on December 24, approximately 65,000 tourists visited the Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, with more than 12,000 vehicles transporting them.

Commending the efforts of the district administration and the police, CM Sukhu acknowleged their efficient management of the substantial tourist influx, particularly at the North and South Portals of the Rohtang Tunnel. Despite challenging conditions with temperatures as low as minus 12 degrees Celsius, local authorities and the police successfully handled traffic.

The CM affirmed that Himachal Pradesh, despite recent challenges, is ready to embrace tourists again. DGP Kundu revealed that lakhs of tourists explored various parts of the state, emphasizing the commendable efforts of the local administration and police in ensuring smooth traffic flow in harsh weather conditions.

Special arrangements were made by the district police to ensure a peaceful and secure Christmas Eve celebration for the public. A police action plan, encompassing traffic management, rescue operations, and evacuation procedures, was devised for Christmas.

Surveillance through CCTV cameras and drones was implemented to maintain law and order, especially considering the potential hazards posed by slippery road conditions due to snow and black ice during the evening.