Tourists flock to Shimla to celebrate New Year

Shimla, the “Queen of Hills”, has seen thousands of tourists from across India and abroad making their way to the hill station to welcome the New Year with festive cheer. Tourists were seen enjoying the lively atmosphere at The Ridge and The Mall, where they sang, danced, and captured memories while savouring local cuisines at various stalls and eateries.

The town’s hotels and homestays reported 70 per cent occupancy, with many rooms booked in advance by the visitors. Despite the ongoing Punjab bandh and mourning regarding the death of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, which slightly impacted tourist footfall, Shimla remained a popular destination for year-end celebrations. Tourists were seen enjoying the lively atmosphere at The Ridge and The Mall.

Nitin, a tourist from Delhi, expressed his long-standing love for Shimla, having visited since childhood. “We saw videos of snowfall here on social media, which heightened our excitement to spend New Year in Shimla,” he said, though he was disappointed not to witness snowfall.

Between December 24 and 29, the Shoghi Police Barrier recorded 74,039 vehicle movements, including 36,542 from out-of-state tourists. During routine checks, several weapons were confiscated from tourists’ vehicles.

To enhance the celebration, Shimla organised a 10-day winter carnival, now in its second year, featuring cultural events, light displays, and food stalls. However, the carnival was postponed as a mark of respect for Dr Singh’s passing and will resume on January 2.