Chief minister Mamata Banerjee today criticised the forest department for making decisions without consulting the state government, describing the move as harmful to the interests of both the people and tourists.
This grand festival, which attracts crores of pilgrims and tourists, is expected to generate temporary employment for 6 to 10 lakh people, providing livelihood opportunities across various sectors. While some of these jobs will be temporary, they will significantly enhance the quality of life for many individuals involved.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg. The 6.4-km tunnel worth over Rs 2,700 crore on the Srinagar-Leh highway will keep Sonamarg open to tourists round the year and is also touted as a major milestone to connect the Kashmir valley with Ladakh.
Tourists visiting Uttarakhand will now get special concessions, additional services, and enhanced hospitality when staying at the rest houses of the state's largest tourism regulatory body, the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN).
The victim, identified as Raghubir Rai (78), a resident of Bujuwa village in Sukhia Block, was buried under debris.
“The calamity is massive and the loss due to floods is estimated to be around 8,000 crore in the state,” said CM
Days after the monsoon and flash floods played havoc with the lives of locals and tourists, instances of opportunism and greed where local traders, hotel owners or cab drivers were seen making exorbitant demands for consumables or travel came to light in the townships.
The Chief Minister said efforts are being made to restore essential services in the remaining areas at the earliest.
Once a preferred destination for tourists, Himachal Pradesh’s resort Manali -- nestled in the picturesque Beas river valley -- has turned into a land of rubbles after torrential rain lashed the region with full nature’s fury.
In a tough operation in the Himalayas, rescuers on Sunday rescued nearly 200 tourists stranded in the vicinity of the glacial-fed Chandertal or moon lake in Himachal Pradesh's Spiti Valley owing to heavy rain that triggered snapping of road links, officials said.
