Jat stir in Haryana affects tourism industry of Himachal

The Jat quota stir in Haryana have affected the tourism industry in Himachal Pradesh, particularly the influx over the weekend in this small state which is heavy dependent on this industry for finance.
The vehicular traffic was hit on Chandigarh-Delhi Highway which is a majorconnecting road to this state, with the rest of country. Besides, cancellation of around two dozen trains dailyhave become the major hurdle in the tourist inflow to Himachal Pradesh.
Though the traffic on the NH-1 was resumed on Friday late evening and till Saturday morning, but soon after the agitation went violent, all vehicular services were halted.

Plying of Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses including from New Delhi to Shimla, Manali, Dharamsala and other places, were suspended.
HRTC's Executive Director Ram Kumar Gautam confirmed the cancellation of bus services.
"Around 125 buses ply on the same routes daily and were suspended due to agitation. We will resume services after situation is normalised," Gautam said. Jat stir has cost Himachal's tourism industry dear, as hotels and taxi booking were cancelled by several tourists.
"The tourist travelling in their own vehicles have cancelled the tour plans for the time being, causing mass cancellations of hotel booking in all the major tourist hill stations like Manali, Shimla and Dharamshala," a travel agent Abhay Sharma said.

"Tourists from New Delhi cancelled their bookings for Shimla and other tourist towns due to non-connectivity as road and rail network is hampered. Tourists even from Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan are cancelling their room bookings," he said.