Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the officers of the State Government to ensure fool proof arrangements to facilitate the tourists visiting the State especially for Christmas and New Year so that they could enjoy their stay in the State without any inconvenience. Chief Minister asked the Chief Secretary to hold a meeting with the senior officers of the State Government to make adequate arrangements of the smooth flow of tourists into the State. He said that special arrangements must be made for ensuring hassle free movement of tourist vehicles particularly in major tourist destinations of the State. Chief Minister appealed to the tourists not to park their vehicles alongside roads as this may lead to traffic congestion and inconvenience to them. He directed the Police Department to ensure use of drones for effective traffic management. He said that adequate man and machinery must be deployed in areas prone to heavy snow so as to avoid any inconvenience to the tourists. He said that four by four vehicles must also be stationed at strategic locations to meet out any eventuality.
Sukhvidner Singh Sukhu directed Public Works and Health Departments to be on high alert. He said that special focus must be laid on smooth plying of vehicles across the Atal Tunnel Rohtang to facilitate the commuters. He said that the police must also conduct night patrolling and Urban Local Bodies must ensure proper functioning of street lights and basic amenities. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the HPTDC owned hotels must also get ready to welcome the guests so that they carry home good memories about the State. He said that tourists were our guests and we should ensure the best possible hospitality to them besides other comforts. He said that the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police must prepare a proper traffic plan to avoid traffic jams, so as to avoid inconvenience to the tourists and other commuters. He said that proper parking slots and spaces must also be earmarked in major tourist destinations so that ample parking area was available for parking of the tourist vehicles.
Chief Minister also urged the tourists visiting the State to follow covid-19 protocol and also wear face mask as a precautionary measure keeping in view the increasing number of covid-19 cases being reported in several countries. He said that proper law and order must be maintained and additional police must be deployed in places with high flow of tourists so that peace and tranquility of the State could be maintained. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that Himachal Pradesh was a tourist destination for all reasons and seasons with a rich tradition of welcoming the tourists with warmth and hospitality. He said that all required steps must be taken to ensure that the tourists visiting the State must feel at home during their stay in the State. He said that ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ must be the motto of the Tourism and other Departments to facilitate the tourists.
