With stunts and naati, winter rally sets off

Shimla, February 17

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Saturday flagged off the Mountain Goat Winter Expedition-2024 — the 11th edition of the expedition — from Horizon.

“The state government is committed to promoting tourism in the state and the motor rally being organised by Mountain Goat will prove helpful in making Himachal Pradesh a favorite tourist destination,” Pathania stated.

The Speaker said there were several motor tracks in various districts of Himachal that, if developed, would emerge as some of the best tourist destinations in the world.

Going Green

The existing fleet of the State Transport Corporation is being replaced with electric vehicles by the state government to prevent air pollution. Apart from this, 50 per cent subsidy is also being given to the youth for purchase of e-taxi. Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Vidhan Sabha Speaker

Pathania said the state government was promoting electric vehicles, and the participation of electric vehicles in the rally was a matter of great satisfaction.

“The existing fleet of the State Transport Corporation is being replaced with electric vehicles by the state government to prevent air pollution. Apart from this, 50 per cent subsidy is also being given to the youth for purchase of e-taxi,” he said, adding that this type of motor rally had been organised in the past as well, in which there was danger as well as thrill, for which all the participants would have to ensure better preparation.

He said such a rally is usually organised in May-June but the rally was being organised in the month of February this time. The rally fleet would travel Shimla to Lahaul Spiti, hence the participants must take all necessary precautions and safety measures, Pathania added.

He wished good luck to the participants and congratulated the organisers for the successful organisation of the rally. He also invited all the participants to come to Chamba for the next rally.

On this occasion, MLA (Lahaul & Spiti) Ravi Thakur said use of electric vehicles by Mountain Goat strengthened the state government’s aim to promote e-vehicles and achieve the target of ‘Green Himachal’ by 2026.

During the eight-day rally, the participants would have to pass through many glaciers, which is bound to be exciting as well as full of dangers. He also announced a donation of Rs 10 lakh to Mountain Goat— founded by Shashwat Gupta and Suraj Tayal.

Stunts were performed by professional motorcyclists, and naati performances were presented by cultural troupes at the inaugural event.

The guests visited various stalls and enjoyed the car-racing game. Over 80 people are participating in the motorcar rally, which is set to conclude in Lahaul on February 24.