Chandigarh shivers as max temp rivals that of Manali
New Year's Eve Viral Video: A viral video showcasing massive crowds at popular New Year's destinations has ignited a debate on social media. The footage, featuring packed roads and jammed viewpoints, prompts questions about whether celebrations have become more about online appearances than personal joy, sparking discussions on the impact of social media on holiday experiences.
Himachal Pradesh: Manali sex racket busted, two arrested
Police arrested two men from Madhya Pradesh for allegedly running a sex racket in Manali and rescued four women during raids. The accused have been identified as Dharmindra Solanki and Nikki Parmar alias Yogi
Tourist surge chokes Manali as over 33,000 vehicles enter, snowfall forecast from December 30
CHANDIGARH: Ahead of the New Year, tourist footfall has seen a sharp rise in Kullu Manali and adjoining regions of Himachal Pradesh, with the tourist season currently at its peak. The surge has led to massive traffic jams across the hill region, with thousands of vehicles arriving daily. In just the past week, from December 21 to 27, as many as 13,240 tourist vehicles from other states crossed into Manali, while 34,426 vehicles passed through the Atal Tunnel on the Manali Leh highway during the same period, indicating a substantial rise in tourist movement towards Lahaul and Spiti. A large number of visitors are reportedly fleeing toxic fumes in Delhi and the plains, even as snowfall and rain are expected from December 30. As per figures available with the police, recorded at the Green Barrier in Manali, 2,188 vehicles crossed the barrier on December 27 (Saturday). A day earlier, on December 26, 2,437 vehicles crossed, while on Christmas Day, December 25, the number stood at 2,910. This takes the total number of vehicles from December 21 to 27 to 13,420. The number of vehicles has been steadily rising, with 7,795 vehicles recorded from December 15 to 21, 7,162 vehicles from December 8 to 14, and 5,306 vehicles from December 1 to 7. In total, from December 1 to December 27, as many as 33,503 vehicles crossed into Manali. The heavy tourist rush has triggered traffic jams in Manali, particularly at the entrance to the town, on the route to the Hadimba Temple, the Old Manali road, in Prini, Aleo and Vashisht villages, and along the Manali Leh highway towards the Atal Tunnel and Rohtang Pass. At the scenic Atal Tunnel, 6,848 vehicles entered on December 27, while on Friday, December 26, the number peaked at 7,237, the highest so far this season. On Christmas Day, 4,752 vehicles passed through the tunnel. A total of 34,426 vehicles entered the tunnel from December 21 to 27. The rising trend is evident from earlier weeks as well, with 16,622 vehicles recorded from December 1 to 7, 20,710 from December 8 to 14, and 24,497 from December 15 to 21. In 2023, a record breaking 14,865 vehicles from outside the state flooded Manali and entered the Atal Tunnel on Christmas Day, sparking traffic snarls across the entire region. Traffic congestion has also been reported in Tirthan Valley and on National Highway 305 from Aut to Jalori Jot in the Banjar subdivision of Kullu district. Popular tourist destinations such as Solang Valley, the Atal Tunnel and Shinkula Pass have emerged as major hubs of tourist activity. Increasing numbers of visitors are now venturing beyond Manali to experience scenic landscapes, adventure sports and panoramic views of the Himalayas, adding to the festive atmosphere in the region. The surge in tourism has boosted the morale of hoteliers, transporters and adventure operators in Kullu Manali and Lahaul Spiti. After encouraging business during the Christmas period, stakeholders are optimistic that tourist numbers will rise further during the New Year celebrations. A majority of hotels have reported full bookings for Christmas, and New Year reservations continue to rise steadily. The tourism industry believes that if the current trend continues, Manali could be operating at full capacity on New Years Eve. Talking to this newspaper, the President of the Federation of Himachal Hotels and Restaurant Association and former president of the Hoteliers Association Manali, Gajender Thakur, said that there are 45,000 rooms across hotels, homestays and B&Bs in Manali, with a total occupancy capacity of 90,000 tourists. At present, we are running at 95 per cent full capacity for the last fifteen days and this will continue till January 5. After 2023, we have again seen such a tourist footfall, he said. He added that online queries and advance bookings for hotel rooms in Manali had increased significantly in recent days, reflecting growing tourist interest. The hill state, which is currently experiencing a prolonged dry spell, is expected to receive fresh snowfall and rainfall from December 30 onwards, bringing cheer to tourists as well as locals. According to the state Meteorological Department, a fresh Western Disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region from December 30. As a result, middle and higher hill areas of the state are expected to witness light snowfall and rainfall at isolated places from December 30 to January 1. Lower hill regions and plain areas of the state are very likely to witness dense fog during early mornings and late evenings. The department has issued an orange warning for Bilaspur and Mandi districts till December 29, after which a yellow warning will remain in place till December 31 for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Solan and Sirmaur districts.
31st Night Party: 5 Amazing Cities in India to Celebrate New Years Eve
Planning a 31st night party? Discover the top 5 cities in India including Goa, Mumbai, Udaipur, Manali, and Bengaluru to celebrate New Years Eve in style.
Traffic Crawls In Himachal Pradesh As Tourists Rush To Shimla, Manali
The nine-day-long Winter Carnival on the historic Ridge Ground in Shimla has attracted tourists from all parts of the country.
Madhavaram, Manali lakes to get boating facility by Pongal
TTDC has completed the feasibility study to introduce boating services, and has conducted trialsto determine whether the waterbodies have enough depth to allow the operation of motorboats
Ooty turns Manali: Temperature drops below zero; forest department bans tourists near Sagar Dam
Ooty Weather: Ooty is experiencing severe cold with temperatures dropping below zero. Frost has blanketed gardens and vehicles. The Forest Department has restricted tourist access near Kamaraj Sagar Dam for safety. Despite the biting chill, thousands of tourists are flocking to witness the unusual sub-zero conditions and frost.
Phone left in SUV helps cop nab car-lifters in hours
CHENNAI: A phone accidentally left behind in a luxury car turned out to be the undoing of two vehicle lifters, helping the police track and recover the stolen car within hours on Wednesday. The car, belonging to a state-level Congress functionary, was intercepted near Puzhal following a high-speed chase. According to police, Melvin (36), a resident of Vyasarpadi and state secretary of the Congress partys human rights division, had stopped his car at a petrol bunk on Melpatti Ponnappan Street to refuel. When Melvin stepped out to settle the bill, leaving the engine idle and his mobile phone on the seat, two persons jumped into the car and quickly drove the away. Melvin immediately alerted the Vyasarpadi police. A team led by Inspector Rajinikanth utilised the GPS tracking feature on the stolen mobile phone to monitor the cars real-time movement. Finding themselves cornered, the suspects abandoned the vehicle which had a deflated tyre, and tried to flee. Following inquiry, police arrested Surya (25), a bike mechanic from Kodungaiyur, and his associate Bharath (28) of Manali in this connection. The duo has been booked for vehicle theft and remanded in judicial custody.
Minister KN Nehru checks feasibility of boat ride in Madhavaram lake
CHENNAI: Minister KN Nehru on Monday checked the feasibility of introducing boat rides in Madhavaram lake, being rejuvenated at a cost of Rs 11.78 crore. He inaugurated a newly constructed high-level flyover across the Puzhal reservoir at Vadaperumbakkam, built at an estimated cost of Rs 22.41 crore. The newly constructed bridge, which is expected to benefit nearly 1 lakh residents of Madhavaram and Manali areas, measures 190 metres long and 7.5 metres wide, allowing two vehicles to pass simultaneously. The minister also inaugurated an animal birth control centre at Chettimedu village in Manali, constructed at a cost of Rs 1.61 crore. Spread across 3,582 sq ft, the facility includes 26 rooms, accommodating 20 dog kennels in a room, a surgical theatre, laboratory, kitchen, storage space, and a security room.
Residents welcome incinerator plant closure in Manali
Shimla Himachal Pradesh weather: Himachal Pradesh is likely to experience dense fog conditions from December 18, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said in its daily weather bulletin. As far as Shimla is concerned, the hill city is likely to see partly cloudy sky today and dense fog during the night hours.
Manali Lake, restored by Corporation, reaches capacity of 12 lakh cubic feet
Manali snow scam: This viral video may make you rethink your mountain plans
Manali snow scam Video: A tourist's viral video from Manali has ignited a debate, alleging local guides are scamming visitors with a small, artificial snow patch for skiing. While some users decry it as a scam, others argue it highlights the need for tourists to check seasonal conditions before traveling.
High voltage transformer catches fire at Manali substation
The heat generated by the fault caused a small fire which was later brought under control
Study offers AI solution tomanage Goa as tourist place
Abdul Wahab Khan Panaji Goas pristine beaches, misty hills of Shimla, Manalis mountain landscapes and Jaipurs heritage monuments are buckling under unprecedented tourist pressure, but an artificial intelligence (AI) system may offer a solution. A team of six researchers from Indian institutions has developed a data-driven sustainable preservation approach that promises to transform how the [] The post Study offers AI solution tomanage Goa as tourist place appeared first on The Navhind Times .
From Deepika to Sara - What Bollywood Stars Actually Pack for Vacations
From pretty dresses to hydrating mists, Bollywood celebrities travel with essentials that keep them stylish and comfortable. Whether its Maldives or Manali, stars like Deepika, Kiara, and Janhvi pack smart, breathable outfits, multitasking skincare, and chic accessories. Heres how they keep it fashionable yet practical.
HPs pending share stalls progress on strategically important Bilaspur-Manali-Leh rail line
*Survey completed, Rs 1.31 lakh cr DPR ready Govind Sharma JAMMU, Dec 7: The lack of cooperation and unmet financial commitments from the Himachal Pradesh Government are significantly slowing down progress on the Bhanupli-Bilaspur-Beri stretch of the Bhanupli-Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway corridor-one of Indias most strategically important future rail networks. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Detailing the current status, financial position, land acquisition progress, and technical challenges shaping the project, highly placed sources in the Railway Ministry told Excelsior although [] The post HPs pending share stalls progress on strategically important Bilaspur-Manali-Leh rail line appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Tribal youth make it big, conquer peak in Himachal Pir Panjal range
RAIPUR: A group of tribal youths hailing from Jashpurmost of whom had never seen snow or experienced high-altitude terrainreturned with a historic achievement that filled all of Chhattisgarh with pride. At 5340 metres, they have become the first team to summit the Jagatsuk-1 Peak in Himachal Pradeshs Pir Panjal range, completing the ascent in just 12 hours. The range is a part of the lesser Himalayan region. For five of these young men, the journey was unimaginable only months ago. With no previous exposure, they relied on rigorous training at the advanced Desdekha Climbing Area, a tourist spot, in Jashpur, about 350 km from Raipur. Under the mentorship of mountaineering coaches Dave Gates and Sagar Dubey, they trained to take over the Himalayas. The team not only pioneered a completely new route to the summit, naming it the Vishnu Deo Route, but also completed it in an alpine style, without any pre-established path. Their expedition also led to the discovery of seven new climbing routes in the Duhangan Valley near Manali. A standout accomplishment was the first ascent of an unclimbed 5,350-metre peak, which they named the Chhupa Rustam Peak. Its climbing route, called Curcuma, draws from the scientific name of turmerica symbol of strength and resilience in Indian culture. CM Vishnu Deo Sai lauded the team, saying, The history created by the youth of Jashpur at the heights of the Himalayas is a matter of pride for all of Chhattisgarh. It is a testament to our youthful strength, courage, and self-confidence. I am confident that every youth of Chhattisgarh will continue to reach new heights.
JK Bank signs MoU with MDB Group for The Lutyens Project
Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 26: Jammu and Kashmir Bank today entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MDB Group for The Lutyens, an ultra-luxury high-rise residential development strategically located on the Delhi-Manali Highway in Mohali. During the press interaction here, representatives from MDB Group shared insights about the companys strong real estate legacy across Punjab and North India, spanning multiple successful residential and commercial projects over more than 15 years. We are honored to collaborate with J&K Bank in [] The post JK Bank signs MoU with MDB Group for The Lutyens Project appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
U.S. FDA issues seven observations to Natco Pharmas Chennai plant
The U.S. FDA had conducted an inspection at the API manufacturing plant in Manali, Chennai, from November 17-21
J&K Bank signs MoU with MDB Group for luxury housing project
Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 21: J&K Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MDB Group to offer home loan facilities for The Lutyens, an upcoming ultra-luxury high-rise apartment project along the Delhi-Manali Highway in Mohali. A statement said the agreement was signed at the Banks Divisional Office in Jammu by Zonal Head Kathua, Suresh Choudhary and MDB Group representative, CA Nikhil Garg, in the presence of General Manager and Divisional Head Jammu, Ashok Gupta. Speaking on the occasion, [] The post J&K Bank signs MoU with MDB Group for luxury housing project appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Red Fort Blast: Himachal Hotelier Changes Plan Last Minute, Escapes Death
Ajay Singh from Manali narrowly escaped the deadly Red Fort Metro Station blast by choosing the metro over a cab, minutes before the explosion killed nearly 10 and injured over 20.
T.P.P. Road-Burma Nagar Link Road in Manali to be repaired soon
The road connects Manali High Road to Sadayankuppam, MMDA Colony, and Irular Colony
BRO constructing 298-km road from Manali to Leh
Work on Zanskar tunnel taken up NEW DELHI, Nov 5: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is building a 298-km roadthe Nimu-Padam-Darcha road as the third alternative from Manali to Leh and the shortest avenue to reach Leh and has started work on a tunnel on the Zanskar range that will provide a clean route to Limu through the Zanskar valley, according to BRO DG Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp There is only one major [] The post BRO constructing 298-km road from Manali to Leh appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Australian paraglider who crashed near Seven Sisters Peak in Manali rescued after 20 hours
CHANDIGARH: A 51-year-old Australian paraglider, Andy, who crashed yesterday evening near the Seven Sisters Peak located at an altitude of 13,500 feet in the Manali subdivision of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh, has been rescued after 20 hours. Sources said that the paraglider Andy, hailing from Australia, is believed to have crashed due to air pressure and adverse weather conditions. A paraglider pilot flying with him witnessed the accident and informed the rescue team, requesting assistance. Ramesh Kumar Jogi, in charge of the rescue team of the Manali Adventure Tour Association, said that Andy, who was lying on a dangerous and narrow ledge on a high mountain, was finally rescued with the help of a chopper. He is now being treated at the hospital and is out of danger. Both the pilots had come from Bir Billing in Kangra district to Manali and were flying back to Bir Billing when the crash took place. A rescue team was dispatched immediately on Monday evening to rescue Andy, who was trapped in the inaccessible hills. Andy's close call isn't rare, as paragliding accidents at popular sites like Bir Billing in Himachal have been taking place, with recent incidents involving flyers from Canada, Austria, and Russia, too. A few days ago, Megan Elizabeth, a 27-year-old Canadian paraglider who had gone missing, was found dead, while a 47-year-old Austrian paraglider, Jacob, was rescued from the high mountains of the Dhauladhar range. In the last five years, 26 paragliding crashes have been reported in Kangra and Mandi districts of the hill state, resulting in the death of 12 paragliders, including foreign nationals, and injury to many. In some incidents, neither the pilot nor the glider could be located.
Himachal Pradesh's Manali, Lahaul and Spiti receive fresh snowfall
Fresh snowfall has hit Himachal Pradesh's higher regions. Temperatures have dropped in Lahaul and Spiti district and Manali. This winter weather has brought joy to tourism businesses. They anticipate more visitors arriving soon. Light rains were also recorded in several parts of the state. Key locations like Manali and Bharmaur saw significant rainfall.
Restoration efforts in Manali-Ennore region have not achieved objectives
Government departments and agencies responsible for restoration works have largely failed to meet their commitments and there is a lack of coordination among the departments, says report brought out by Save Ennore Creek Campaign
Jammu Tourism concludes first ever paragliding course at Aithem
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, successfully concluded the six-day paragliding refresher course with a closing ceremony held today at Aithem View Point on JammuSurinsar Road. Speaking on the occasion Aijaz Qaiser, Joint Director Tourism, Jammu, gave the details of this first ever paragliding refresher course, from 8th to 13th October 2025, which was organized in collaboration with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS), Manali. Click here to watch video The [] The post Jammu Tourism concludes first ever paragliding course at Aithem appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Dry Weather to Continue in Himachal Till October 18; Keylong Records -2.2C
Shimla, October 12 (DailyKiran) Himachal Pradesh experienced a bright and sunny Sunday, with pleasant weather prevailing across popular hill stations such as Shimla, Kufri, Manali, and Dharamshala. However, the tribal regions of the state are witnessing extreme cold, as temperatures have dipped below freezing point in several areas. According to the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, ... Read more Dry Weather to Continue in Himachal Till October 18; Keylong Records -2.2C
Early Snowfall turns Kedarnath, Gulmarg and Manali into winter wonderlands, SEE PICS
Kedarnath, Gulmarg, and Manali witnessed their first snowfall of the season, turning the Himalayas into stunning winter wonderlands.
REQUIRED URGENTLY 1. OFFICE ASSISTANT 04 2. ACCOUNTANT 01 NOTE: BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF COMPUTERS IS REQUIRED. FOR BOTH POSTS. FOR APPOINTMENT CONTACT : 9596812474 NEED TRUCK DRIVER FOR OUR 1916 TATA TRUCK MODEL 2024 SALARY 10000 PER MONTH ROTI KHARCHA 9000 PER MONTH TRIP LEH JAMMU 4000 TRIP LEH MANALI 4000 TRIP LEH SRINAGAR 2500 MOB NO.: 9419181358 REQUIRED TEACHERS FOR INSTITUTE & SCHOOL 1) SCIENCE TEACHER 9TH & 10TH 03 (PHY. & CHEM.) TIMING : [] The post EMPLOYMENT (07-10-2025) appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Travel Vlogger Attempts 400 Km Manali-Ladakh Trip On Onewheel, Sparks Online Buzz
He's attempting to ride a one-wheeler from Manali to Ladakh, covering over 400 km of rugged terrain.
Kangana Ranaut, BJP MP, encountered angry protests in Manali's Patlikuhal due to her delayed response to rain-affected areas, with locals raising slogans and black flags. Ranaut, addressing residents, highlighted her own financial losses and connection to the region, urging them not to target her personally.
Himachal Pradesh: Kangana Ranaut faces protests during visit to flood-hit Manali
CHANDIGARH: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament and Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut faced protests during her visit to Manali following the recent landslides triggered by cloudbursts and heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh. As Kangana, the MP from Mandi, visited the Patlikuhal area, angry locals chanted slogans such as Kangana Go Back and You Are Late , expressing frustration over her delayed visit to assess the destruction caused by the natural disaster. Some reportedly asked her to leave the area. Tensions escalated as heated arguments broke out between the locals and BJP leaders accompanying Kangana. Police had to intervene to restore order. Viral videos from the scene show residents holding black flags and shouting slogans near the carcade of the actor-politician in Patlikuhal, clearly voicing their displeasure. In one such video, Kangana is seen responding emotionally to the backlash: My restaurant is also here, and it made a sale of only Rs 50 yesterday. We pay Rs 15 lakh in salaries alone, and we could only do Rs 50 worth of business. Imagine what I must be going through. Please understand my pain. I am a Himachali. I am a single woman. Dont attack me as if Im doing nothing. Dont treat me like Im the Queen of England, she said. Kangana also appeared to shift focus toward the Congress-led state government, saying: We are here to assess what work has been done and what the state government has actually done. During an interaction with a woman who attempted to question her about the flood situation, Kangana responded sharply: Have you come to attack me or question me? If you come to harass us, how will we be able to work? Earlier in the day, Kangana visited disaster-affected areas of Solang and Palchan in the Manali subdivision. She interacted with affected residents and took stock of the situation. BJP leader and former MLA from Manali, Govind Singh Thakur, briefed her on the infrastructure damage and other losses. He informed that families from 15 to 16 damaged houses had been shifted to safer locations. The Right Bank Road of Manali, which connects Kullu city, the bus stand, and Bindu Dhank, has suffered extensive damage. In Kullus Ramshele area, a house was destroyed. Floodwaters entered homes in the 14 Mile area near Manali, and a fish farm was damaged in Patlikuhal, as rivers and drains overflowed. Locals informed Kangana that the entire Solang village is at risk of sliding, as the Beas River continues to erode the mountain it sits on. They stressed that the only solution is to divert the rivers course by channelizing the water.
Restaurant Made 50, Understand My Pain: Kangana Ranaut To Flood Victims
Actor-turned-politician and BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi, Kangana Ranaut, on Thursday expressed her distress over financial losses at her restaurant in Manali when she met residents affected by floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh.
Heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods at several places in Kullu and Manali on August 25 and August 26.
Manali Highway Update: When Will The Route To Lahaul-Spiti, Leh Be Fully Open?
The Kitarpur to Kullu road is now open for traffic, and work is in progress to fully restore the Manali route, with authorities speeding up efforts to ensure smooth connectivity
Himachal Pradesh faces severe challenges due to the ongoing monsoon. Many roads are blocked and power and water supplies are disrupted. The death toll has risen significantly since June. Authorities are working to restore essential services. Union Minister Savitri Thakur assessed the damage in Kullu-Manali. Efforts are underway to repair roads and provide relief to affected people.
Himachal apple farmers in dire straits as monsoon wreaks havoc
CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh's Rs 5000 crore apple industry have been badly affected after the monsoon wreaked havoc in the state. The quality of the fruit has significantly dropped due to a fungal disease, which is causing the leaves and apples to fall prematurely. Hence, there are more culled apples. The apple growers couldn't transport their crops as the road connectivity was badly affected due to landslides trigerred by flash-floods, heavy rains and cloudbursts. It is estimated that there will be a huge loss to the apple growers. The road connectivity in the apple belts of the state has been affected. The apple growers in Kullu, Kinnaur, Shimla, Mandi, Chamba, and upper Shimla are facing an uphill task in sending apples as hundreds of damaged roads are still to be repaired. In many areas, farmers are hiring workers to manually carry apple boxes across a damaged stretch of the roads and highway, thus raising the cost of transportation. In Kinnaur, the frequent closure of National Highway 5 at Nigulsari has created problems for the farmers of the district. There are scores of villages in Parvati and Banjar valleys where farmers had started harvesting but had to stop midway last month after the road connectivity was lost. On the other hand, the market rates have dropped to their lowest as the traders are reluctant to buy from local markets in Kullu and Mandi because the Kiratpur-Manali highway remained mostly blocked in August, resulting in a drop in the market rates. Over 1.57 crore apple boxes have been marketed within and outside the state until now. The number of marketed boxes would have been higher if the roads were not blocked or washed in various parts of the apple belt. Last year's data, till September 11, shows that 1.13 crore boxes reached the market. This year's high production, which is 45 lakh more boxes than last year, could be attributed to high production in the lower apple belts of the state, which has been nearly three times higher this year as compared to last year. Cloudburst in Himachals Bilaspur; several vehicles buried in debris, farms damaged As till August 20 this year, over 88 lakh boxes had been marketed. In the corresponding period last year, only around 32.6 lakh boxes had been marketed. The harvesting in the lower belts normally ends by August 15. Talking to TNIE , Sanyukt Kisan Manch (SKM) Himachal Pradesh, convener Harish Chauhan said that the apple season is at its peak, but as the roads had been blocked due to landslides, the apples could not be transported from the orchards to the market and in many instances, the apple crop got rotten lying in the orchards or in the trucks. Now, slowly, the road connectivity is opening up. The apple growers have suffered major losses this season, much worse than the 2023 natural disaster. The farmers could not send their crop to the market for days as roads were blocked, due to heavy rainfall, and a fungal disease attack had caused apples and leaves to fall prematurely. The final data will come later once the situation is completely assessed. But it is estimated that around 40 per cent of the apples fell in all the orchards across the state and about 60 to 70 per cent leaves fell, he claims. Chauhan says that due to the fungal disease and the premature drop, the `A grade apples, which cost between Rs 1,500 to Rs 2000 a box in the market, now cost Rs 700 to Rs 800. The apples are now marked in 'B' or 'C' category as stains have appeared on them due to premature fall, small size and faded colour. Due to all these factors it is estimated that the apple growers might suffer a loss of Rs 800 to Rs 1000 crore, but final figures can be confirmed after the complete report, he claimed. Sources said that around 43,930 MT of apples have been bought under the Market Intervention Scheme until now through 227 collection centres opened in various parts of the apple growing area. The apples bought through MIS until now are significantly higher compared to the corresponding period last year, when just a little over 15,000 MT apple were procured. The heavy hail and premature leaf fall are the major reasons behind such a spike in the procurement of culled apples this year. Last year, around 2.11 crore boxes of apples this year it was expected to be more than 3 lakh boxes but now it is estimated that around 2.50 to 3 crore boxes. Meanwhile, under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) around 43,000 metric tonnes of apples (`C and `D grade) have been bought and the figure might touch 50,000 MT. These apples are brought by the state government at Rs 12 per Kg and then pulp and juice is taken out and are also auctioned, Chauhan said. Another leading apple grower, Rakesh Singha, said, The apple season this year is the historically worst as in early April hailstorms came, and at that time the apple crops blossomed thus it was affected then in May heavy rains started. Also, two fungal diseases: Alternaria and Marssonina attacked the crop, thus the leaves of the fruit did not develop. This year's record apple crop has gone into the MIS. On the other hand, the production cost has been very high due to the fact that growers use sprays to save the crop and high transportation charges. While Hemis Negi, Managing Director of Himachal Pradesh State Agriculture Marketing Board (HPAAMB) said that so far at least 1.61 crore boxes have reached the market of these 1.02 crore in Shimla and Kinnaur markets and 23.45 lakh cantons in Solan.
The government also launches a special purpose vehicle to restore the environmentally sensitive Manali-Ennore region. It will focus on green projects, waterbody restoration, solid waste management, pollution control, and community infrastructure development
