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Shimla, renowned for its scenic beauty, is gearing up for a significant surge in visitors during the New Year celebrations, with the police estimating an influx of nearly 80,000 to 1 lakh people. The Shimla Superintendent of Police, Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, revealed that in the past 10 to 11 days, over 1,60,000 vehicles have already passed through the Shoghi Barrier.
Having witnessed around 1.5 lakh tourists during Christmas, the city is poised for an even larger gathering on December 31st. Superintendent Gandhi assured that arrangements similar to those made for Christmas and winter carnivals will be in place.
Shimla Gears Up for 80,000 to 1 Lakh Visitors. “We had nearly 1.5 lakh tourists on Christmas, and we are expecting 80,000 to one lakh people and nearly 2,50,000 vehicles on year-end,” stated Superintendent Gandhi. He emphasized that the local population of nearly 3 lakh residents, along with tourists, is being accommodated efficiently.
To manage the surge, a one-minute traffic plan has been devised, yielding positive results. Superintendent Gandhi highlighted the use of CCTV and drone monitoring to regulate traffic and ensure safety. The main tourist points, including The Ridge, Kufri, and Narkanda, have been equipped with surveillance technology.
“We are trying to ensure security, safety, and traffic arrangements, and we are guiding the tourists also,” assured Superintendent Gandhi.
1 Lakh People Expected In Shimla For New Year. Tourists flock to Shimla for its winter carnival and New Year festivities, with many expressing their hopes for snowfall. However, the high demand has led to challenges such as overcrowded accommodations, resulting in hotels charging three times higher prices.
“We faced problems in getting hotels due to the tourist rush here. It was disappointing that we got three times higher prices for the hotels. We enjoyed it and we are exploring more stations here,” shared Anchal, a tourist from Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the enthusiasm despite accommodation challenges.
