Shimla, India, May 30: Himachal Pradesh Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Saturday welcomed the sharp rise in tourist arrivals across the state and the reopening of the historic Shipki La trade route from June 1, while urging the Centre to extend greater support for disaster preparedness and relief measures ahead of the upcoming monsoon season.
Speaking to media persons in Shimla, Negi said the state government and district administrations have made extensive arrangements to manage the increasing tourist influx and ensure smooth traffic movement at major destinations. He said authorities remain on high alert in view of the approaching monsoon season.
Highlighting the reopening of the Shipki La trade route in Kinnaur, Negi described the move as a significant step towards reviving traditional Indo-Tibetan trade ties. However, he noted that the economic benefits of the route would remain limited unless key infrastructure challenges, particularly the absence of quarantine facilities for livestock, are addressed.
He said trade between Kinnaur and Tibet dates back centuries and was once largely unrestricted, allowing traders to transport valuable goods such as pashmina wool and livestock. Following political changes in Tibet, the traditional trading system was disrupted, leaving only limited border trade operations in place.
According to the minister, a trade centre established at Shipki village near the Shipki La border pass currently facilitates restricted trade through a list of approximately 25 to 26 approved items. He stressed that the lack of a quarantine centre has effectively halted livestock trade, preventing local communities from fully benefiting from the route.
Negi urged the Centre to establish the necessary quarantine infrastructure and permit livestock trade, saying such measures would significantly enhance the economic prospects of border communities. At the same time, he acknowledged that the route’s overall employment-generation potential would remain limited due to the restricted scale of trading activity.
On tourism, the minister said favourable weather conditions have led to a substantial increase in visitor arrivals, resulting in traffic congestion at several popular destinations, including Shimla and the Atal Tunnel-Rohtang corridor. He said Deputy Commissioners have been directed to strengthen traffic management and deploy additional manpower wherever required.
Negi explained that recent traffic bottlenecks near Rohtang were caused by uncleared snow in parking areas, but authorities responded promptly by removing the snow and creating additional parking space to facilitate smoother traffic movement.
Appealing to tourists, he urged visitors to cooperate with authorities, remain patient during traffic congestion, and enjoy the state’s natural beauty responsibly.
Commenting on the ongoing Panchayati Raj elections, Negi dismissed attempts by political parties to claim victories in local body polls, reiterating that Panchayat elections in Himachal Pradesh are conducted without party symbols. He said local issues, community consensus and candidate acceptability play a far greater role than political affiliations.
The minister noted that nearly 137 Panchayats witnessed unanimous elections, reflecting a tradition of consensus-building and cooperation at the grassroots level. He also cautioned against politicising election celebrations and stressed the need to uphold democratic values during counting and post-election activities.
Reviewing monsoon preparedness, Negi said district and state disaster management authorities have already initiated precautionary measures. Regular review meetings are being conducted, while National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been strategically positioned in vulnerable areas to ensure swift response during emergencies.
The minister also reiterated his criticism of the Centre’s response following the devastating natural disasters that struck Himachal Pradesh in 2023. He alleged that the assistance provided was inadequate and argued that existing central relief norms do not adequately reflect the challenges faced by hill states affected by landslides, flash floods and cloudbursts.
Negi highlighted the enhanced relief measures introduced by the state government under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, including increased compensation for fully damaged houses, livestock losses, crop damage and desilting operations.
He said compensation for completely damaged houses has been raised to Rs 8 lakh, while assistance for livestock and agricultural losses has also been substantially enhanced. According to Negi, these measures could serve as a model for other states facing similar challenges.
The minister further claimed that a financial package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Dharamshala after the 2023 disaster has yet to fully materialise. He expressed hope that the Centre would extend greater assistance to Himachal Pradesh ahead of the forthcoming monsoon season, considering the state’s vulnerability to natural calamities and its ongoing recovery efforts.