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Tourists throng Rohtang Pass to beat the heat
Rohtang Pass (HP): As the country reels under intense heat wave, Rohtang
Pass in Himachal Pradesh has emerged as a "hot spot" for tourists trying
to escape the searing heat of the plains. The 13,050-ft-high Rohtang Pass,
opened to tourists earlier this month, is the highest point on the Manali-Keylong
road, 51-km (32 miles) from Manali. A variety of adventure activities
like ski scooters, ski tubes, skiing, sleigh and yak rides are hugely
popular with tourists visiting the scenic region. "We are enjoying the
snow scooters and skiing. Delhi gets as hot as 40- 45 degrees. Its 10-15
degrees over here, which is great," said Sonia, a tourist from Delhi.
"We are enjoying a lot. It is great to be here. There is snow all around
with some very pleasant sights. It's a good change from the hot Delhi
weather. We are having great fun," said Ritesh, another tourist from Delhi.
Although the road was opened a month ahead of the schedule, in view of
the increasing number of tourists over the years, it is experiencing major
traffic jams, compelling the local police to intervene to keep the wheels
moving. The pass is an important destination on the itinerary of tourists
visiting the picturesque Kullu valley and also an adventurer's dream destination.
The locals said the unexpected snowfall has been a boon to tourism in
the region. Himachal Pradesh, located in the foothills of Himalayas, offers
picturesque scenes of snow-clad mountains, blue skies and green valleys.
Nearly four million tourists visit the State every year and the figure
has been increasing by about 15 percent annually.
-May 30, 2006
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