Tourist influx to Lahaul via Atal tunnel increases

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, March 14

Tourist influx to Lahaul valley via Atal tunnel has increased on the Manali-Leh highway these days, which has elated the hoteliers of Lahaul valley in tribal district Lahaul Spiti.

According to police authority in Lahaul Spiti, 3,959 vehicles yesterday crossed Atal tunnel to move in and out of the Lahaul valley. It is expected that during the summer season, the tourist influx towards Lahaul valley would increase from Manali side drastically.

Superintendent of Police Lahaul Spiti Manav Verma said that 2,049 vehicles entered Lahaul valley from the Manali side yesterday and 1,910 moved out towards Manali via Atal tunnel.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) authority has started snow-clearing operation on the Manali-Leh highway. The BRO is targeting to restore this highway for traffic movement much earlier this year as compared to the previous years provided weather conditions remain favourable. Thereafter, tourist footfall will increase considerably towards Lahaul valley from the Manali side.

Vikram Katoch, a hotelier in Lahaul valley, said, “It is a good sign for the tourism industry that tourist influx has started to increase in the Lahaul valley. The major attraction for tourists here these days is the ongoing snow festival as tourists can have a glimpse of the rich culture of this tribal district.”