AN OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND

Himachal Pradesh

It is time to pack our bags and wander in the hills, as the Himachal Pradesh government now allows inter-state travel without an e-pass a er closing borders for over ve months. e state is heavily dependent on tourism and has a myriad of places and pilgrimage spots within its borders. Himachal has started welcoming long and short-term guests since August, and with winter approaching, travellers are all set to throng here for adventure activities and snowfall views.

Authorities in Himachal Pradesh have been taking several initiatives that will encourage people to consider spending holidays in the state later this year. To boost the state’s infrastructure and connectivity, the Atal Tunnel, deemed to be the highest altitude tunnel in the world, was inaugurated in Rohtang last month. e 9 km long tunnel connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley throughout the year. Earlier the valley was cut o for about six months each year owing to heavy snowfall.

is tunnel is said to reduce the road distance by 46 km between Manali and Leh and the duration for travel by about four to ve hours. “Atal Tunnel is going to be a lifeline for a large part of Himachal Pradesh as well as the new Union Territory of LehLadakh and would reduce the distance between Manali and Keylong by three to four hours,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his recent address. He added that now parts of Himachal Pradesh and Leh-Ladakh will always be connected with the rest of the country and would witness speedier economic progress.

ough most of the areas in the region are fully opened for tourism, Himachal Pradesh’s popular Spiti valley is likely to remain shut until the end of this year.

O cial notice by the Spiti Tourism Society says, “e decision to close down tourism and keep Spiti and tourists safe has been