As Atal tunnel, Rohtang, the longest tunnel in the world above altitude of 3,000m, is expected to be a major tourist attraction of Himachal, the chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said this tunnel will start a concept of "tunnel tourism" for the first time in the country. The infrastructure is being developed at both portals of the tunnel where tourism activities will be available for the tourists. The government is further planning to start different tourism activities here to attract more tourists. Government has also planned to run glass top vistadome buses on this route especially for the tourists. “Atal tunnel will open door to tunnel tourism which will be a new concept of tourism in the country. Both the portals of the tunnel will be developed on tourism point of view. People will come to see this engineering marvel at this altitude. Also, the approach road to the tunnel is full of scenery that offers view of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, towering peaks and glacial-fed rivers. The tunnel will also open doors to flourishing tourism in the Lahaul valley,” the CM said. He said that originally the tunnel was designed 8.8km in length but the resh GPS readings after completion of the work showed that it was 9.02km-long. “This tunnel will be credited as world’s longest motorable tunnel at altitude of 3,000m. This tunnel is also a result of friendship of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Tashi Dawa, a resident of Tholang village of Lahaul. As both wanted to find an alternate to lengthy and dangerous travel across Rohtang pass, the idea of the tunnel was conceived long back. Finally, work on approach road begun in 2002 and work on tunnel began in 2010,” he added. Expedite work to give final touch to Atal tunnel for inauguration by
As Atal tunnel, Rohtang, the longest tunnel in the world above altitude of 3,000m, is expected to be a major tourist attraction of Himachal, the chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said this tunnel will start a concept of “tunnel tourism” for the first time in the country. The infrastructure is being developed at both portals
For 38-year-old Shiva Keshavan, it took six Winter Olympics, career spanning over 22 years and many Asian and world records to fetch Arjuna Award, the very first National Sports Award in the winter sports category. Be it skiing, snowboarding, luge or any other winter sports, no athlete had won a national sports award until Saturday when country’s only professional luger Shiva Keshavan was awarded with Arjuna Award for his contribution to the winter sports. Keshwan, the fastest man on ice in Asia, received this award from the President Ram Nath Kovind in a virtual ceremony at Delhi on Saturday. Resident of Manali, Shiva Keshavan is six-time Olympian and recipient of 10 medals including four gold in international luge championships. He sustained his career as a professional luger for 22 years mostly by crowdfunding and could not participate in any championship for two years due to financial crisis. He was among the 29 athletes who were recommended for Arjuna award by Union Sports Ministry. Shiva Keshavan was the youngest athlete in the world to qualify for 1998 Winter Olympics in luge at age of just 16. Since then, he participated in consecutive six Olympics. He has won four gold, four silver and two bronze in Asian Championships in Nagano, Japan and Altenberg, Germany from 2005 to 2017. Shiva Keshavan still holds the unbeatable Asian speed record of 134.3 km per hour. This is why he is called the fastest man on the ice in Asia. While other athletes received national sports award in well known sports, this is for the first time that government recognised a winter athlete for this award. As a sport, very few people in India have heard about luge. Despite being the first Indian to win award in international sports and even setting Asian records, Keshavan has
For 38-year-old Shiva Keshavan, it took six Winter Olympics, career spanning over 22 years and many Asian and world records to fetch Arjuna Award, the very first National Sports Award in the winter sports category. Be it skiing, snowboarding, luge or any other winter sports, no athlete had won a national sports award until Saturday
The tourists from any part of India may enjoy their trip to Manali very soon as hoteliers have decided to open hotels for tourists from October 1. Hotels in Manali, the main tourist destination of Himachal, will open from October 1 as most of the hoteliers on Tuesday unanimously decided to resume operation to recover from the damage of the Covid-19 impact, an official of the hoteliers' body of Manali said. Having known that recovery from Covid-19 pandemic may take more than expected time, the hoteliers said they cannot afford to stay closed anymore. However, they are not in a hurry and do not want to take risks and decided that they will remain closed in September to get themselves ready to welcome tourists in October. Not just hotels, the guesthouses and homestay units will make necessary arrangements for resuming operations in October. “After remaining closed for over five months since March 22, hoteliers unanimously decided in the meeting that we shall open from October 1, a day before Gandhi Jayanti. Till then, we shall make all the arrangements and preparations to provide tourists with high standards of hygiene and sanitisation and also to recruit the staff,” Manali Hoteliers’ Association president Anup Ram Thakur said. It was also decided that if any hotel wishes to remain closed even after October, nobody will force hoteliers to open. Thousands of staff members working in hotels had temporarily or permanently lost their jobs in March and April. Finding and recruiting both skilled and unskilled staff in a few days was not easy. Thakur added that hoteliers will have to face some challenges to continue with smooth operations like protecting the staff and the local community from Covid-19 and to handle patients, if found any, as Manali does not have even a dedicated covid
The tourists from any part of India may enjoy their trip to Manali very soon as hoteliers have decided to open hotels for tourists from October 1. Hotels in Manali, the main tourist destination of Himachal, will open from October 1 as most of the hoteliers on Tuesday unanimously decided to resume operation to recover
While people in Himachal are opposing the entry of tourists into the state fearing spread of Covid-19, Jibhi and Tirthan valley of Kullu are opening for tourists from September 5 with strict conditions. After meeting of the owners of hotels, guesthouses and homestays of Jibhi and Tirthan valley, it was decided that they will allow booking from September 5 onwards provided that advance booking is made for a minimum of 10 days. The tourists need to bring Covid-19 negative certificate which should not be older than 72 hours. Tourists will have to stay in the hotel for the first five days but can go sightseeing in the next five days along with a local guide. They cannot travel by unknown taxi and will have to bring their own car. Jibhi Valley Tourism Development Association president Lalit Kumar said they will follow government SOPs but have made them stricter but easier so that the disease does not spread in the local community. “We live in a rural area where all residents are directly or indirectly benefitting from tourism. We have taken this decision after long discussion and serious consideration. We shall make sure that only genuine tourists who fulfill our conditions reach here,” he said. The labourers brought to Kullu from other states for work in apple season have already resulted in a sharp spike in cases in the district. Local panchayats had also been opposing the opening of the hotels. The hoteliers in Kullu-Manali had made it clear that they shall remain close until the situation improves. Both Jibhi and Tirthan have emerged as one of the top tourist destinations where tourists go for long stays. This has resulted in the mushrooming of many tourism units in both regions in recent years. Although many villagers are still not in favour
While people in Himachal are opposing the entry of tourists into the state fearing spread of Covid-19, Jibhi and Tirthan valley of Kullu are opening for tourists from September 5 with strict conditions. After meeting of the owners of hotels, guesthouses and homestays of Jibhi and Tirthan valley, it was decided that they will allow
Six-time Olympian and recipient of 10 medals including four gold in international luge championships, Shiva Keshavan, who sustained his career as professional luger for 22 years mostly by crowdfunding, has been recommended for Arjuna award. A resident of Manali, the 38-year-old Keshavan, is among the 29 athletes who have been recommended for the Arjuna award by the National Sports Awards Selection Committee of Union Sports Ministry. While other athletes have been recommended for the award in well-known sports, this is for the first time that government is awarding an athlete for luge, a sport about which very few people in India have heard. Keshavan is presently president of the Olympians Association of India and chief coach of the national team by Luge Federation of India. He was the first Indian to ever win an international medal in winter sports and is the only athlete from the country to qualify for Olympics in luge. “Finally years of my hard work is getting recognition. I think I could have done better if I had government support since the very beginning of my career. I am thankful to the members of the selection committee for giving me this opportunity. It means a lot to me. Hopefully, this will help in the improvement of the winter sports infrastructure in the country,” Shiva Keshavan said. The story of Shiva Keshavan qualifying for the Winter Olympics for the first time in 1998 till being recommended for this prestigious award is full of struggle and hard work. Though he participated in over 100 world championships, Asian Cups and other international tournaments but always remained in the financial crisis for his sports gears, travel and training expenses. He could not participate in any championship for two years due to lack of funding. Given his skills and zeal for
Six-time Olympian and recipient of 10 medals including four gold in international luge championships, Shiva Keshavan, who sustained his career as professional luger for 22 years mostly by crowdfunding, has been recommended for Arjuna award. A resident of Manali, the 38-year-old Keshavan, is among the 29 athletes who have been recommended for the Arjuna award
Ski and Snowboard India (SSI), the governing body of winter sports in India, has been recognized as “full member” of the International Ski Federation (FIS), the apex body for international winter sports. SSI has also qualified for one vote in the International Ski Congress. The officials of Ski and Snowboard India on Wednesday received a letter from the FIS president Gian Franco Kasper and secretary general Sarah Lewis to confirm that “Ski and Snowboard India is a full member of the FIS and qualifies for one vote at the International Ski Congress.” SSI secretary general Roop Chand Negi said, “This is a proud moment for the country, especially the winter sports athletes of the country. Finally we have been recognized as a permanent member of the FIS. The skiing remains dominated by European, American and some of the Asian countries where winter games infrastructure is very strong. As more and more athletes are taking interest in winter games in India, and our government is taking winter sports seriously, we are also improving our winter sports infrastructure. For some time, we are being treated equally on international platform.” Earlier, Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI), established in 1984, was the governing body for winter sports in India. It was an affiliated member of FIS since 1988. Following many discrepancies, it remained suspended for many years. For not complying with government’s directive to conduct fresh election of the body, WGFI was de-recognized by Sports Ministry in 2018 under provisions of National Sports Development Code of India, 2011. Recognized by Indian Olympic Association, the Ski and Snowboard India (SSI) was formed as new apex body for skiing and snowboarding. “With support from the Indian Olympic Association, sports ministry and all state associations, SSI has made a clean image amongst FIS and other national
Ski and Snowboard India (SSI), the governing body of winter sports in India, has been recognized as “full member” of the International Ski Federation (FIS), the apex body for international winter sports. SSI has also qualified for one vote in the International Ski Congress. The officials of Ski and Snowboard India on Wednesday received a
For the first time, three snow leopards -- one adult and two cubs -- have been captured in camera traps installed in the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in Kullu district of Himachal. The camera traps have captured a grown-up snow leopard at 19 locations and it is accompanied by cubs at two locations. This is for the first time that snow leopard has been captured in camera at multiple spots along with cubs in the Great Himalayan National Park. However, a snow leopard was captured by a team of research scholars from Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, in 2017 in the mid-hills. This time the department has documented proofs in the shape of many photos which confirm that the endangered big cat is breeding safely not only in Lahaul-Spiti district but also in Kullu. Great Himalayan National Park director Ajit Thakur said the 40 camera traps were installed at different locations inside the sanctuary area last year. “The snow leopard was captured between October and December. We started analysis of the footage after March. We were successful in capturing the elusive big cat at 19 locations. At one location, the grown-up snow leopard is accompanied by two cubs and at one location it is accompanied by one cub,” he said. Wildlife researchers and photographers spend years to take a photo of one snow leopard. The wildlife department capturing three snow leopards together is being considered a big achievement as it will go a long way in various conservation programmes. Thakur added that wildlife wing of Himachal is extremely happy after the clear evidences of the presence of the snow leopards in the sanctuary. “Presence of cubs with adult suggests that snow leopards are possibly breeding in the area. This is just a preliminary survey by wildlife department and nature
For the first time, three snow leopards — one adult and two cubs — have been captured in camera traps installed in the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in Kullu district of Himachal. The camera traps have captured a grown-up snow leopard at 19 locations and it is accompanied by cubs at two locations. This
Alliance Air, the subsidiary of Air India Ltd, is resuming its flight operations thrice a week between Delhi and Kullu from July 16, an official said. Alliance Air is the only airline conducting sorties to Kullu for a long time. The airline had suspended operation after a nationwide lockdown. The domestic flights in the country had recommenced operations from May 25 but the airline had cancelled its sortie to Kullu as it could not get slot at Delhi airport. “The flight will operate on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Airline will be deploying its 70-seater ATR 72 aircraft for the route. Flight 9I 805 will depart Delhi at 6:45am for Kullu and land at 8:05am. The flight 9I 806 will depart Kullu at 8:30am and arrive in Delhi at 9:50am. The booking is available online or through our travel agents,” an official from Alliance Air said. He said that the flight will be adhering to all government guidelines and standard operation procedures (SOPs) issued by Ministry of Civil Aviation. “All required precautionary measures will be taken inside the aircraft as well as at time of check-in, boarding and arrival. The aircrafts are being disinfected rigorously after each flight to eliminate any risk of infection,” he added. Himachal has three airports -- Gaggal in Kangra, Jubbarhatti in Shimla and Bhuntar in Kullu. The runways in Himachal being short in length, only ATR 72 and ATR 42 planes land here and the planes already face load penalty of 30 to 50 passengers which is almost half the capacity. Social distancing will not be a major problem as even in general conditions sometimes only one passenger sits in one row following the load penalty. And check-in counters and arrivals never witness passenger crowd. While three flights a day were already operating to Gaggal airport,
Alliance Air, the subsidiary of Air India Ltd, is resuming its flight operations thrice a week between Delhi and Kullu from July 16, an official said. Alliance Air is the only airline conducting sorties to Kullu for a long time. The airline had suspended operation after a nationwide lockdown. The domestic flights in the country
While hoteliers in Himachal are getting training on resumption of the operations amid Covid-19 pandemic, the state government is also introducing some new extreme water sports in Himachal to woo the tourists. As soon as ban on tourist movement is lifted, tourists will get to experience jetovator, hydrofoil and jet skiing at Tatapani and Larji reservoirs of Himachal. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS), Manali, will train local youths from Tatapani and Larji areas next month. The trained youth will then operate the activities for tourists in their respective areas. The machines and related equipment which are not available in Indian market have been imported from the foreign nations. ABVIMAS director Col Neeraj Rana said, “The courses for jetovator, hydrofoil and jet ski will start from July 7 at Pong Dam. The machines and required equipment have reached Himachal. Once the tourist inflow is allowed, these activities will be available immediately. In an effort to make Himachal an international hub of adventure sports, more and more new activities will be introduced in the future,” he said. White water river rafting is the main adventurous water sport available in Himachal. Lakhs of tourists experience this activity every year. Jetovator, a flying water-powered bike and hydrofoil, a technology that facilitates in sailing like an aircraft, are new introduction to the water sports in Himachal. Made for speed, jet ski is also expected to woo the adventure enthusiasts. Himachal has over a hundred small and large manmade reservoirs. Himachal government is planning to introduce water sports in many of them which will not only boost tourism but provide employment to local residents. ABVIMAS, which runs special courses in mountaineering, climbing, skiing, rafting and many other streams year-round, has stopped the courses due to coronavirus pandemic since March. Government, hoteliers,
While hoteliers in Himachal are getting training on resumption of the operations amid Covid-19 pandemic, the state government is also introducing some new extreme water sports in Himachal to woo the tourists. As soon as ban on tourist movement is lifted, tourists will get to experience jetovator, hydrofoil and jet skiing at Tatapani and Larji
Himachal can now host international skiing and snowboarding championships as Solang slopes near Manali are being developed to meet all the requirements of international standards. The length of the existing slope is being increased by over 130m. The surface of the slope will be leveled and groomed. A team of technical committee led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) director carried out a final survey of the spot on Thursday. Taking advantage of the lockdown when Solang valley is missing the tourist crowd, the work will start in a few days. ABVIMAS director Col Neeraj Rana said the work on slope will begin in 2-3 days. “Slope is being developed keeping in view the international standards. Work will continue day and night and will finish within two weeks. The ground survey was conducted in presence of technical team on Thursday. The existing slope is about 340m long which will now become 470m-long. Come winter season and the snow-laden slope will be in a new look,” he said. At present Himachal has two skiing slopes – one at Solang and other at Narkanda. Both slopes are in dilapidated condition in absence of basic infrastructure. The natural slopes are short in length and not work hosting international races. Local ski clubs with help of government have hosted many state and national level tournaments on the slopes but failed to get approval to host international events. Rana said Solang can now host international tournaments from this year onward. “Solang slopes get very heavy snowfall. Slopes are well connected by road and ABVIMAS has its hostel at Solang. The area has many hotels. All conditions are favourable for world-class skiing. The short slope was the main hurdle. Some other technical issues of the slopes will be improved one by
Himachal can now host international skiing and snowboarding championships as Solang slopes near Manali are being developed to meet all the requirements of international standards. The length of the existing slope is being increased by over 130m. The surface of the slope will be leveled and groomed. A team of technical committee led by Atal
