Lahaul Valley sees tourist influx post Atal Tunnel opening
North portal of Atal Tunnel Rohtang. Tribune photo
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TNR DESK
Dhramshala: After the inauguration of the Atal Tunnel on the Manali-Leh highway, Lahaul Valley has emerged as a popular tourist destination in the state. Data from the Police Department reveals that a staggering 29.18 lakh tourists visited Lahaul Valley via the Atal Tunnel this year, a notable increase from the previous year’s figure of 26 lakh visitors.
Superintendent of Police (SP), Lahaul and Spiti, Mayank Chaudhary, reported that 12.49 lakh vehicles entered and exited the Lahaul Valley through the Atal Tunnel this year. Of these, 5.99 lakh vehicles entered from Manali, while 6.5 lakh vehicles departed towards Manali via the tunnel. The tourist surge in the last three days has been significant, with over 16,000 vehicles and approximately 85,000 tourists entering the valley.
Chaudhary highlighted the challenges faced by the police in managing traffic due to the heavy rush. Drones and CCTV cameras are being utilized for surveillance. He emphasized tourists’ responsibility to adhere to traffic rules and maintain cleanliness in the region.
Despite the traffic challenges, Lahaul Valley anticipates a continued influx of tourists leading up to New Year’s Eve. This year, the police and district administration conducted 22 rescue operations, successfully rescuing 3,100 tourists and others.
Meanwhile, on the occasion of Christmas, Manali’s Mall Road remained lively with tourist activities, adding to the festive atmosphere.
