Shimla. The air service connecting Shimla and Manali tourist places of Himachal Pradesh has remained closed for the last six months. The flight from Shimla to Kullu three days a week has been closed since July 10. On one hand, the state government has set a target of bringing tourists, while on the other hand, tourism is suffering losses by stopping flights.
In such a situation, due to closure of air flights, local people as well as tourists coming here from all over the country are facing problems. Tourists who come to Shimla are not able to go to Kullu, Manali, Manikaran and Rohtang.
Apart from this, the tourists who come to different tourist places of Kullu district are also not able to go to Shimla, Narkanda, Kufri and Chail. Shimla-Kullu flight was closed after heavy rains caused havoc in Kullu and Mandi districts between July 8 and 11.
Due to its non-resumption, anger is growing against the government among the tourism businessmen of Shimla and Kullu districts. At the same time, tourists are also demanding to start flights on this route. Jubbarhatti Airport Authority has demanded the government to restart it. Shimla Hotel Association President Mahindra Seth demanded immediate restoration of air services on Shimla-Kullu route. He said that the tourism industry is suffering losses due to its closure.
He said that there is a need not to stop flights, but to start flights from different parts of the country to the state. At the same time, Dhanapal, Director of Airport Authority Jubbarhatti, says that air service is closed on Shimla-Kullu route. There is a good number of passengers on this route. In view of this, a letter has been written to the government to restart the flights.
