Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated the Lahaul Sharad Utsav, a traditional winter festival spanning over two months, showcasing the vibrant culture and heritage of the region. The festival, celebrated post-snowfall, brings together diverse local customs and traditions from various valleys, offering a plethora of activities ranging from archery and other snow sports to culinary delights and knitting competitions.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the Lahaul Sharad Utsav was a major tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors every year. He commended the people of Lahaul & Spiti district for their warm hospitality and steadfast commitment to preserving cultural legacy. Sukhu said that five new tourist destinations would be developed in the upcoming fiscal year, including Chandratal, Kaza and Tandi of Lahaul & Spiti and Rackchham and Nako-Chango-Khab of Kinnaur district.
He emphasized the pivotal role of the tourism sector in driving the state’s economy and providing employment as well as entrepreneurial opportunities to the locals. The Chief Minister also launched ‘Discover Lahaul Spiti’ mobile application, an innovative initiative spearheaded by the district administration. He said that the application features modern AI integration, which includes an interactive Chatbot designed to assist tourists in exploring the district’s attractions, availability of accommodations, and activities.
Through the app, tourists can access a plethora of features, ranging from detailed guides to off-the-beaten-path destinations, all aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the district’s rich tapestry. The app could be downloaded via QR code. The Chief Minister praised the administration’s efforts and highlighted the app’s capacity to reveal undiscovered treasures and remote areas of Lahaul Spiti. He said that this initiative would not only attract tourists to the region but also generate employment opportunities and foster economic growth.
During his one-day visit to Lahaul Spiti district, Sukhu laid the foundation stone of 11 development projects totaling Rs. 70.07 crore. These projects include the upgradation of the main road Ratil at a cost of Rs. 9.97 crore, upgradation of the main road Rwaling Thirling Mailing at Rs. 4.58 crore, Upgradation of the main road Marble at Rs. 6.41 crore, upgradation of the main road Chowkhang Naingahar at Rs. 6.80 crore, upgradation of the Main road Vihali Triloknath Lobar Udaipur at Rs. 13.88 crore, upgradation of the Main road Yangrang at Rs. 10.41 crore and upgradation of the main road Shiti Nallah Meh Bog at Rs. 6.18 crore.
Other foundations included improvement of FIS Beeling through Syphon at a cost of Rs. 1.68 crore, Winter Water Supply Scheme to village Jispa at Rs. 3.91 crore, and Lahaul Haat Dalang to be established at a cost of Rs. 5 crore. Furthermore, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the Command and Control Centre (Animesh-netram) of district Police Lahaul Spiti, built at a cost of Rs. 1.25 crore. The center has expanded its CCTV coverage to border areas, including Sumdo, Shinkula and Sarchu, along with other popular tourist destinations in the district. The centre has also received the Skotch Merit of Order award. A total of 639 cameras have been installed under the project, with 182 of them set up in the past year.
