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Auli lonely as ever
The ski-slope at Auli which used to attract many foreign and domestic tourists bears a deserted look this year.
Though this venue elicited much attention when the SAF Winter Games were hosted, the bureaucrats and the Government have failed to effectively execute the claims they had made in the past about developing Auli into an international hub of tourism and winter sports.
Auli rose on the popularity charts in January 2011 when the SAF Winter Games were held there and crores were spent on developing infrastructure and other facilities there.
However, after the end of the games, this scenic winter sports venue seems to have faded away from the memory of the authorities.
Situated near Joshimath in Chamoli district, Auli was bustling with international sportspersons, tourists, ministers and bureaucrats during the SAF Winter Games.
However, this major destination bears a deserted look today even though there are many tourists eager to visit and enjoy its unique features. The Ministers and bureaucrats made tall promises and locals invested their hopes in Auli’s future which was supposedly set to undergo transformation upon hosting of the winter games.
This would have helped develop the local sporting talent in addition to improving income generation opportunities and creating employment opportunities for local residents. However, the condition of this site has continued to deteriorate after the Games. The ropeway developed mechanical fault soon and has been out of operation ever since.
Traffic on the Joshimath-Auli motor road has also come to a standstill due to the snow cover on the road. Tourists are keen to visit Auli but are unable to do so due to the road being closed to traffic. While a few tourists use alternative means and trek to Auli, most are returning home without being able to fulfil their wishes of enjoying this location.
Local residents point out that the recent snowfall has turned Auli into a must-visit place for winter sports enthusiasts and tourists, but most of them are unable to do so.
The claims made by the Government about capitalising on the natural beauty of such places to improve the lot of locals have evidently turned out to be hollow.
The ski-slope at Auli which used to attract many foreign and domestic tourists bears a deserted look this year.
Though this venue elicited much attention when the SAF Winter Games were hosted, the bureaucrats and the Government have failed to effectively execute the claims they had made in the past about developing Auli into an international hub of tourism and winter sports.
Auli rose on the popularity charts in January 2011 when the SAF Winter Games were held there and crores were spent on developing infrastructure and other facilities there.
However, after the end of the games, this scenic winter sports venue seems to have faded away from the memory of the authorities.
Situated near Joshimath in Chamoli district, Auli was bustling with international sportspersons, tourists, ministers and bureaucrats during the SAF Winter Games.
However, this major destination bears a deserted look today even though there are many tourists eager to visit and enjoy its unique features. The Ministers and bureaucrats made tall promises and locals invested their hopes in Auli’s future which was supposedly set to undergo transformation upon hosting of the winter games.
This would have helped develop the local sporting talent in addition to improving income generation opportunities and creating employment opportunities for local residents. However, the condition of this site has continued to deteriorate after the Games. The ropeway developed mechanical fault soon and has been out of operation ever since.
Traffic on the Joshimath-Auli motor road has also come to a standstill due to the snow cover on the road. Tourists are keen to visit Auli but are unable to do so due to the road being closed to traffic. While a few tourists use alternative means and trek to Auli, most are returning home without being able to fulfil their wishes of enjoying this location.
Local residents point out that the recent snowfall has turned Auli into a must-visit place for winter sports enthusiasts and tourists, but most of them are unable to do so.
The claims made by the Government about capitalising on the natural beauty of such places to improve the lot of locals have evidently turned out to be hollow.
