Manali: Bombarded with phone calls and emails about road conditions in Kullu-Manali valley following the recent cloud burst and flash floods, Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) managing director Lokender Chauhan stated that there was no damage to the Kullu-Manali highway.
He further said that traffic was regularly plying on the Manali-Leh highway and normalcy had returned on the route that is popular with tour operators and trekkers during this time of the year.
Fearing a cancellation of bookings, Chauhan in a communiqué added that tours to Keylong and Leh in luxury coaches operated by HPTDC were being conducted without any road problems.
The Manali – Leh tours that started on July 1 would be in operation till September 15, he said.
With monsoon time being an off season period, HPTDC hotels in Kullu, Manali, Naggar and Keylong are offering 25 % tariff discounts.
Sanjay Dutta, an engineer by qualification but is a journalist by choice.
He has worked for the premier new agency Press Trust of India and leading English daily Indian Express.
With more than a decade of experience, he has been highlighting issues related to environment, tourism and other aspects affecting mountain ecology.
Sanjay Dutta lives in a village close to Manali in Kullu valley of Himachal.