Hotel occupancy surge in Shimla, Manali; record 28,210 vehicle cross Atal Tunnel in one day
Shimla: The craze to visit Atal Tunnel propelled hotel occupancy in key hill resorts of Shimla, Manali to 90 per cent, as a record 28,210 vehicles crossed the Atal Tunnel on a single day on Sunday (December 24).
After snowfall at Atal tunnel on Saturday, tourists made beeline to the tunnel and a record number of 28,210 vehicles crossed Atal Tunnel on Sunday, according to Lahaul and Spiti police on Monday.
The hoteliers are upbeat as the local MeT office has predicted rain in mid hills and rain and snow in higher hills on December 30 and 31.
The occupancy is around 90 per cent and the Manali Carnival from January 1 to 6, which would showcase local culture and cuisines, would boost tourist arrival in the year-end, said President of Federation of Himachal Hotels and Restaurant Associations (FOHHRA) Gajender Thakur.
''We welcome the tourists, who have come to the State in lakhs,'' said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, adding that Himachal has stood up again after the disaster to welcome the tourists.
He also praised the efforts of district administration and the Police jawans for efficiently managing the huge tourist rush and extending helping hand to few struck up in snow particularly at North and South Portal of Rohtang Tunnel at minus 12 degree C.
Kullu district was one of worst disaster hit districts of the state during the monsoon fury but it has bounced back, kindling the hopes for revival of the tourism industry which mainstay of the people in the region.
The hotel occupancy in hill resort of Shimla rose to around 90 per cent during the weekend (Saturday and Sunday), but it dropped to 60 per cent and Monday being a working day, people started returning, Vice President of Shimla Hotel and Restaurant Association Prince Kukreja told PTI.
Even though a white Christmas eluded Shimla city, Carnivals added to the shine of Christmas-New Year festivities in the capital city and with MeT predicting rain and snow on December 30 and 31, the occupancy is expected to be 100 per cent, president of the association M K Seth told PTI.
Carnivals from Christmas to New Year in state capital Shimla have added to the vigor of festivities. Sufiana recitals, Quawalis, performances by musical groups and plays are other attractions.
Group selfies at Historic Ridge Church were in vogue. However, traffic chaos prevailed in the capital city as thousands of vehicles were in the city and traffic congestion was visible at several places.
As many as 55,345 vehicles arrived in Shimla in the past 72 hours, said Shimla Police in a Facebook Post on Monday evening. Elaborate arrangements have been made and traffic police are on the job, the police said.
The Himachal Pradesh Tourism development Corporation (HPTDC) has also offered special packages for New Year celebrations in its resorts for Gala Nights, Dine 'N' Dance, DJ with live music, dance competitions and fun activities for children, said Managing Director HPTDC Amit Kashyap.
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Araijeet's four goals hand India 5th title in men's junior Asia Cup
Muscat, Dec 4: Araijeet Singh Hundal slammed four goals as defending champions India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in the summit clash to win a hat-trick of titles in the men's junior Asia Cup here on Wednesday.
This was India's fifth title in the continental tournament, having previously won the crown in 2004, 2008, 2015 and 2023.
The tournament was not held in 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Araijeet converted three penalty corners in the fourth, 18th and 54th minutes besides finding the net from a field effort in the 47th minute. Dilraj Singh (19th) was the other goal getter for India.
For Pakistan, Sufyan Khan (30th, 39th) converted two penalty corners, while Hannan Shahid scored from field play in the third minute.
Japan defeated Malaysia 2-1 to claim the third spot earlier in the day.
There was hardly anything to differentiate between the two sides as both India and Pakistan fought hard for ball possession in the first quarter.
The highlight of the first quarter was ariel passes employed by both the teams.
But Pakistan had the first laugh, striking as early as the third minute through a field goal from Shahid.
India didn't sit back and secured their first penalty corner seconds later, and Araijeet stepped up to draw level with a powerful drag-flick to the right of Pakistan goalkeeper.
India upped their game in the second quarter and secured their second penalty corner in the 18th minute and Araijeet struck again with another powerful flick.
A minute later, a fine field goal by Dilraj extended India's lead to 3-1.
Pakistan, however, reduced the margin in the 30th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Sufyan.
Pakistan were the better side on display after the change of ends and they drew level in the 39th minute through another penalty corner conversion by Sufyan.
India secured their third penalty corner in the 47th minute, but Araijeet's effort was saved by Pakistan goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua.
Araijeet, however, was not to be denied his hat-trick as he found the net from a field effort seconds later to hand India the lead again.
India pressed hard on the Pakistan citadel in the final 10 minutes and secured a few more penalty corners and Araijeet found the net again from a fine variation to make the scoreline 5-3.
