Tourists rushing to Himachal Pradesh from various parts of the country and abroad are feeling let down by the State Government due to poor condition of roads in the beautiful hill State.
In the wake of widespread devastation caused by natural calamities in the States of Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand, tourists are making a beeline to Himachal Pradesh, which had the golden opportunity this year to host a large number of guests.
However, tourists coming to Himachal Pradesh are being greeted by bad roads fractured by 2-3 feet deep bone-breaking potholes damaging the cars. They are carrying back bitter and sad memories, thanks to the casual and careless attitude of the State Government, NHAI and PWD engineers and the impertinent bureaucrats.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had earlier taken the cognisance of the deplorable condition of State roads and National Highways.
The NHAI had swung into action and partly repaired the roads through a company carrying out the work of widening the NH from Kiratpur to Manali and partly engaging contractors.
But the repaired roads were soon damaged and large potholes erupted again thanks to the alleged sub-standard work done by the contractors and NHAI. Contracts of over `10 crore had been allocated to three contractors.
“Nature has bestowed on the green hills of Himachal Pradesh dense forests, tremendous natural beauty and elegance, rich wild-life, natural high-altitude lakes, water falls and snowy peaks. But man has miserably failed to play his role in harnessing the infinite and unfathomable potential of tourism," a tour operator rued.
Eulogising the captive grandeur of the State in his election rallies in Himachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed wonder and shock how
one of the most beautiful spots on the earth, which had the potential of becoming the replica of Switzerland, remained neglected for over the past 67 years.
He had promised to harness the vast tourism potential of the state by developing it into a world class tourist destination, if he came to power. People of the State are hoping that this dream is realised.