As the countdown begins for New Year 2024, Shimla, nestled in the serene hills of Himachal Pradesh, is all set to host an anticipated surge of tourists for its winter carnival and vibrant New Year celebrations. The hill station, already buzzing with festive spirits, is gearing up to accommodate the influx of visitors, expecting nearly one lakh revelers to join in the year-end festivities.
According to a senior police officer, the recent Christmas celebrations witnessed a staggering influx of around 1.5 lakh tourists, and the numbers are poised to swell further for the upcoming New Year 2024 Eve. Shimla Superintendent of Police, Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, shared insights stating, “We had nearly 1.5 lakh tourists on Christmas, and we are expecting 80,000 to one lakh people and nearly 2,50,000 vehicles on year-end.”
Acknowledging the surge in footfall, authorities are diligently planning to manage the anticipated rush. “On the pattern of Christmas and winter carnivals, we will manage the same for December 31st,” mentioned SP Gandhi. “We have nearly 3 lakh locals, and we are also welcoming tourists. We have planned a one-minute traffic plan as per our potential and the results are positive.”
To ensure the safety and smooth movement of both vehicles and pedestrians, the department is employing advanced surveillance methods. “We have made arrangements at the main tourist points in Shimla, the Ridge, Kufri, Narkanda, and other places. We have CCTV and drone monitoring for both traffic congestion and human movements,” assured the SP.
Tourists pouring in from various parts of the country are excited about the winter carnival and New Year 2024 celebrations but have faced challenges due to the heightened demand for accommodations. Gulshan, a tourist from Noida, expressed optimism, “This New Year 2024, we have come here with the hope of snowfall. The mountain view is very good. Due to the tourist inflow, it is taking a long time, but we are enjoying it.”
However, some visitors, like Anchal from Uttar Pradesh, mentioned the challenges of exorbitant hotel prices, saying, “We faced problems in getting hotels due to the tourist rush here. It was disappointing that we got three times higher prices for hotels. Nevertheless, we are exploring more stations and enjoying our stay.”
As Shimla braces itself for the grand New Year 2024 festivities, tourists are advised to plan their trip meticulously, considering the expected rush and potential accommodation challenges. Despite the hurdles, the scenic beauty and celebratory fervor promise an unforgettable experience for all revelers ushering in 2024 amidst the captivating Himalayan landscape.
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