KUMARHATTI: The heavy snowfall on Sunday has come as a boon for tourism activities here today. In fact a fresh lease of life has pumped to the tourism here after snow lashed the town and its surrounding area of Barog and Dagshai throughout the day yesterday.
The record number of tourists from adjacent plains made beeline here to enjoy snow. Observations showed that over thousand vehicles of tourists crossed the town en route to Barog or Shimla. Interestingly the majority of tourists preferred to enjoy snow at Barog. The tourists were also seen heading towards Dagshai to see snow.
Though there was no snow today but cloudy weather in afternoon raised the dim hope of another spell of snow.
The good numbers of young couples were seen making merry in snow. There was full house at Barog today. The local market of Barog remained jam-packed with tourists rush who could be seen enjoining hot cups of tea and snacks in roadside dhabhas.
The HPTDC run Pine Wood hotel at Barog was swarmed with tourists rush. As per hotel staff they have never ever witnessed such huge rush here. The occupancy in hotel was up thanks to snow.
A visit to other hotels at Barog revealed that snow has helped to enhance the occupancy. The more snow in coming day would mean more occupancy, pointed out a jubilant reception staffer of a hotel.
The roadside dhabhas were doing brisk business from yesterday. According to an eating joint owner at Barog, the daily sale was five times more than of daily average.
The 2-km stretch of Kalka-Shimla national highway from Barog onwards was virtually turned into partying arena for tourists. The tourists mostly the youth were seen dancing to latest Punjabi pop hit songs in snow covered highway.
(Photo by Himanshu Khagta)
