0 DUBAI SUMMER SURPRISES

DUBAI SUMMER SURPRISES

14 June - 14 July

The concept of DSS was largely based on launching promotional campaigns and organizing family entertainment activities to attract families of diverse nationalities to Dubai over the summer. This was done with the cooperation of the private and government sectors and eventually, DSS became the biggest and the only such event in the region providing the right combination of shopping, winning, and entertainment. Residents in Dubai and visitors welcomed the idea of an eventful, fun-filled summer for the whole family, and over the years, DSS has grown to successfully position Dubai as a leading summer destination.

Detail: DUBAI SUMMER SURPRISES

0 Good snowfall ensures cheering summer in Himachal

SHIMLA/ MANALI: Heavy snowfall on Himachal hills has once again ensured a cheerful summer tourist season, pleasant climate, bountiful drinking water and good time for winter games lovers.

More snowfall in Himachal from February 22

The state is witnessing unexpectedly high flow of tourists in February and is sure about bumper season between April and July when tourists would throng here to get respite from the heat of plains. The current spells of snowfall are acting like magnet to attract tourists to Himachal. Hotels in Shimla, Manali and Dalhousie have already swarmed with inquiries for summer season.

Heavy snowfallin Solang Valley of Manali has cheered the winter games enthusiasts who have flocked here for skiing, snowboarding and other activities. Ski slopes here are covered with hundreds of amateur and professional skiers. “Watching skiers on television always thrills me and now that I’m attempting skiing here, it is like dream come true for me,” a tourist from Indore, Praveen Jain, said.

Some tourists are complaining of swindle and overcharging from them. Harika Kalantri, touristfrom Hyderabad, complains, “I and my husband were charged Rs 4,200 for skis for couple of hours. When we interacted with another couple, we came to know they were charged Rs 2,000. And then we got to know that service providers first entice the tourists and charge arbitrary rent for few minutes. Nobody was present there to control this swindling.”

It is snowing on high hills of Kullu, Shimla, Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur while lower hills are experiencing light showers. A moderate cold wave is persistent in the state and Keylong in Lahaul was coldest inhabited place in Himachal at -10.4 degrees Celsius followed by Kalpa at -5.4 degrees C. Night temperature in Manali(0.6), Shimla (5.5), Dharamshala (7.6) and Solan (4.2) is still cold. According to Shimla Meteorological office, a fresh western disturbance has entered the state and it would bring more snow to high hills of western Himalayan regions from February 22.

While Manali has experienced good snowfall this year, it is still below the average in Shimla. According to hoteliers in Shimla, shortage of drinking water is the main problem in Shimla during summers and they are expecting more snowfall till March. An hotelier, Chandra Sharma, said, “More snowfall means enough drinking water for summers. Otherwise we are forced to bring water from many kilometers for our guests. Snow on hills  also helps keep the temperature down.”

Detail: Good snowfall ensures cheering summer in Himachal

0 Manali-Rohtang highway to be one-way this summer season

MANALI: Tourists shall have to keep patience to see snow at Rohtang pass this summer season as Manali has drafted strict regulations for vehicles plying Manali-Rohtang route. If everything goes right, tourists can enjoy the panoramic journey to Rohtang only between 6am and 12 noon as vehicles before or after this time limit will not be allowed to go towards Rohtang pass.

Traffic on Manali-Rohtang highway (file pic)

Police, administration, beopar mandal, hoteliers and taxi union of Manali have prepared a strict strategy to cope with the fierce traffic jam problem on this route. In peak summer season, vehicles take five to eight hours only to cover 51-km distance between Rohtang and Manali. The problem intensifies at evening when all vehicles from Rohtang leave for Manali and stuck in narrow road for hours. Now, the plan is that vehicles from Manali can go towards Rohtang between 6am and 12 noon and vehicles at Rohtang can come back to Manali only after 12pm.

“The time table for vehicles and making highway one way will definitely help reduce the jam problems. This will make journey more comfortable, fast and also reduce the accidents and save precious time of travelers,” Kullu police chief Ashok Kumar said adding that the restriction would be lifted for the ambulances and those vehicles in emergency.

Everybody welcomed this step but police warned that those who would not adhere to the rule will be penalized with seizing of their car. Also, 10pm to 6am will be the zero traffic hours when no vehicles will be allowed on the highway. If tourists reach Manali after noon and want to visit Rohtang on the same day, they shall have to postpone their plan to next day.

It was being witnessed in Manali that some taxi operators, to make multi-trips to Rohtang in same day, were taking tourists to Rohtang in early morning and even midnight. Many tourists were complaining that taxi driver didn’t allow them to enjoy much time at Rohtang pass with excuse that they will stuck in dead traffic jam. Now the fix timing for cabs and other cars will allow tourists much time to spend in snow.

Police, tourism department and administration are also planning to take effective steps to stop service providers from duping tourists. Instructions have been issued to adventure sports organizers and snow dress lenders to hang rate-list at their kiosks.

 

Rohtang opens for pedestrians

MARHI (MANALI): Rohtang pass has officially been opened for pedestrians from Wednesday after installing rescue posts on either side of the pass. The expert mountaineers in posts will monitor the movement and help people in emergency.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports director Randhir Singh Salhuria said rescue posts have been installed at Koksar in Lahaul and Marhi in Kullu. “We strongly recommend people to get themselves registered in both the posts before and after cross the pass so that we can ensure their safety,” he said.

Posts will be serving until the highway opens for traffic. Rohtang pass is still covered under 30 to 50 feet of snow and temperature is many notches below freezing point.

Detail: Manali-Rohtang highway to be one-way this summer season