The winter carnival and open skiing competition at Auli concluded on Monday. However, due to shortage of participants in the winter sports, many of the mementos meant to be presented to the participants were distributed to the departmental staff. The event concluded with snow boarding race and cultural performances on the occasion.
While the State Government had made tall claims about the winter carnival at Auli, the event organisers evidently failed in attracting the desired number of participants and even spectators for the event. In spite of clear weather on the concluding day of the winter carnival, the crowd was sparse with the event being limited to local participants and those from the army.
Due to shortage of participants, the mementos and awards meant for participants were given away to members of the organising committee and employees of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, Tourism Department, Public Works Department, Power department, Forest Department and the army. Observers are questioning the organisational capability of the authorities considering that there were no participants in the women's junior category competition held on Sunday.
Speaking at the conclusion of the winter carnival, Tourism Minister Dinesh Dhanai said that the incomplete work on the ice skating rink in Auli will be monitored by the State administration. The locals were disappointed in the absence of any announcement related to development of Auli. Urban Development Minister Pritam Singh Panwar and Tourism Secretary Umakant Panwar were also present on the occasion.