Category: Tourism

MANALI: The tourist places of Manali including Solang valley, Hidimba temple and Vashisht which have given up before high traffic rush during peak tourist season may have a timing system for tourist vehicles in next few days. Having failed in handling the traffic rush with narrow roads and limited parking space, police will apply timing system on experimental basis. Only one-way traffic would be allowed to these places to prevent vehicles from creating bottlenecks. The local vehicles would be allowed to go round the clock but tourist vehicles going for sightseeing will be stopped by police. Tourists, who will have their hotel at these places, particularly towards Solang valley, Vashisht and Bahang, will have to produce hotel booking voucher or can get access from police after recommendation from hotel. The hoteliers in the area are being distributed a mobile number where they can SMS the number of the tourist vehicle bringing their guests. “This would be done on experimental basis. If it creates chaos rather than improving the situation, we shall think of another plan,” Kullu SP Shalini Agnihotri said here while talking to stakeholders from different associations and unions. She took ideas from stakeholders to improve traffic system of Manali and assured them of best cooperation from police. “Four reserve units, 100 home guards and local police would be deployed to take care of traffic and law and order in Manali during Christmas and New Year eve. As suggested by local representatives, traffic bottlenecks would be improved. Idle parking would not be allowed. Vehicles not following rules would be impounded and towed,” she added. To improve the traffic system, police have re-launched its campaign to challan the vehicles on basis of photos received on whatsapp from public. The SP said police are encouraging public to photograph the traffic violator,