As Christmas is here, Himachal Pradesh’s popular tourist destinations, Shimla and Manali, are witnessing a significant influx of tourists, raising hopes for a picturesque “white New Year.” However, heavy traffic jams have been reported on the National Highway leading to the Atal Tunnel, causing congestion in various key areas.
Traffic snarls have been observed between Manali and Vashisth Chowk, Potato Ground to Rangadi, and Solang Nala to Atal Tunnel. Similar congestion has been reported in Kasol, Jari, and on the highway connecting Shimla and Shoghi.
Tourists are drawn to the Rohtang and Sissu areas, which recently received snowfall, and more are expected in Manali as dry weather is predicted until December 28. Surender Pal, Head of the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, clarified that while there won’t be a white Christmas between December 24 and December 28, light rainfall or snowfall is anticipated at isolated places from December 29 to 30.
Despite the lack of a white Christmas, Himachal is experiencing chilly weather, with Sissu and Atal Tunnel areas recording a minimum temperature of -2°C on Sunday. Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 4 degrees Celsius, and Manali dipped to as low as 2°C.
Hotel occupancy in Shimla and Manali is nearly full, ranging between 80 to 90 percent, a positive turn for the tourism industry that faced losses during the monsoon due to landslides and floods. To accommodate the surge, tourists are exploring alternatives like Kasol, Tirthan Valley, and Jibhi Valley. Hotel occupancy in Shimla is nearing capacity, leading tourists to book accommodations in nearby towns such as Kufri, Chail, Narkanda, Kasauli, and Solan.
Kiran Dev Sharma, a Manali-based hotelier, expressed optimism for a successful winter tourist season after facing losses during the monsoon. He stated, “We are hoping for a good winter tourist season and have sold almost all the rooms. Tourists have bookings till New Year’s Eve.”
Simultaneously, Shimla is hosting its first-ever Winter Carnival, inaugurated by Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu. The week-long carnival, lasting from Christmas day to New Year’s Eve, aims to revive tourism by showcasing Himachal’s rich culture and cuisine. The administration expects nearly one lakh tourist vehicles this holiday season and has taken measures to manage traffic and ensure security.
