Thousands Of Tourists Stuck At Atal Tunnel After Record 28,210 Vehicles Cross It On Xmas Eve — WATCH

Visuals of traffic congestion at Atal Tunnel surfaced on social media due to the tourist rush on Christmas day

In a surge of festive fervor and a desire to experience the wonders of the Atal Tunnel, hotel occupancy in the key hill resorts of Shimla and Manali reached a remarkable 90 percent. Visuals of traffic congestion at Atal Tunnel situated at Rohtang La surfaced on social media due to the tourist rush on Christmas day. Thousands of tourists were stuck in a heavy traffic jam at the spot, news agency ANI reported.

 

According to news agency PTI, the region witnessed a record-breaking 28,210 vehicles crossing the Atal Tunnel on a single day, Sunday, December 24, following snowfall on Saturday.

The Lahaul and Spiti police on Monday informed that the influx of tourists towards the tunnel was unparalleled, leading to a historic number of vehicle crossings. Anticipating a continued tourist influx, the hoteliers are optimistic, particularly with the local Meteorological (MeT) office predicting rain in mid-hills and rain coupled with snow in higher hills on December 30 and 31, PTI's report mentioned.

Gajender Thakur, President of the Federation of Himachal Hotels and Restaurant Associations (FOHHRA), expressed enthusiasm about the current occupancy rate and highlighted the upcoming Manali Carnival scheduled from January 1 to 6. The carnival is expected to showcase local culture and cuisines, further boosting tourist arrivals at the year-end.

"We welcome the tourists who have come to the state in lakhs," said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, as per PTI. He commended the efforts of the district administration and police personnel for efficiently managing the huge tourist rush, particularly aiding those stranded in snow, especially at the North and South Portals of Rohtang Tunnel where temperatures dipped to -12 degrees Celsius.

Kullu district, previously one of the worst disaster-hit districts during the monsoon, has witnessed a remarkable recovery, raising hopes for the revival of the tourism industry, a crucial lifeline for the region's residents.

Hotel Occupancy In Shimla Expected To Reach 100% On New Year's Eve

While hotel occupancy in Shimla rose to around 90 percent during the weekend, Vice President of Shimla Hotel and Restaurant Association, Prince Kukreja, mentioned a slight drop to 60 per cent on Monday as it marked a working day, the report mentioned. However, he affirmed the anticipated surge in occupancy to 100 percent with the Meteorological Department predicting rain and snow on December 30 and 31.

Though Shimla missed a white Christmas, the city's Christmas-New Year festivities were enhanced by carnivals featuring Sufiana recitals, Qawalis, musical group performances, and plays. The Historic Ridge Church became a focal point for group selfies, adding to the vibrant celebrations, the report stated.