Shimla, a picturesque hill town in Himachal Pradesh, is getting ready for a bustling holiday season as Christmas and New Year approach. The local police are anticipating a significant influx of tourists, with over one lakh tourist vehicles expected to arrive in the last week of December.
To enhance the festive atmosphere, the Mayor of Shimla City has planned the first-ever winter carnival. The week-long carnival, starting on Christmas Day, aims to attract tourists, showcase Himachal Pradesh’s traditions and culture, and promote clean and green tourism in the hills.
Despite the cold weather, tourists have already started arriving in anticipation of snowfall in the scenic locales. The Shimla Municipal Corporation is hopeful that the winter carnival will revive tourism businesses in the region.
Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, Superintendent of Police in Shimla, highlighted the challenges faced by the police as the seasons change. With an increasing number of vehicles, especially on weekends, the police are working to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic and ensure the safety of tourists. The city has been divided into sectors, each assigned a rescue team to address challenges such as snow-laden roads.
Gandhi revealed that the number of vehicles entering the city has risen significantly, reaching 12,000 to 13,000 daily. This number is expected to further increase to 20,000 around Christmas and New Year. In preparation, the police plan to deploy 10 platoons and 200 additional forces if needed for both traffic management and security.
Surinder Chauhan, the Mayor of Shimla, expressed enthusiasm for the winter carnival, emphasizing the showcasing of traditional folk dance forms and musical instruments. The Chief Minister is set to inaugurate the event on December 25, with a special folk dance featuring 500 women.
Tourists, despite the absence of snowfall so far, are enjoying the cold weather conditions. Soutirtha Biswas, a tourist from West Bengal, recommended a visit to Shimla during this festive season, while expressing a desire to return in January for the anticipated snowfall. Other visitors echoed similar sentiments, praising Shimla as an ideal tourism destination in December.
As Shimla prepares to welcome thousands of visitors, the authorities are working diligently to ensure a memorable and safe holiday experience for all.
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