Tourists to get relief from poor roads in Mukteshwar

ALMORA: In welcome news for tourists, the 9km stretch of the Mukteshwar-Shitala motor road will soon be repaired after remaining in shambles for nearly 13 years. TOI had recently raised the issue prominently in its report published on World Tourism Day.

Mukteshwar is one of the well-known tourist destinations in Kumaon and local authorities were given the nod for laying asphalt on the poorly-maintained stretch.

According to locals, every year a large number of tourists from the country and abroad come to Ramnagar, Nainital and Mukteshwar in Kumaon division. Due to lack of asphalting, many accidents took place on this road in the middle of the forest, locals pointed out, adding that apart from affecting tourism, tourists also remain worried.

Nainital MP Ajay Bhatt spoke to the officers in Dehradun regarding the matter.

3,000 West Bengal tourists stuck as road links severed

Flash floods caused by the Teesta River in Sikkim have left around 3,000 tourists stranded, with limited communication due to internet and phone connections being cut off. Multiple bridges and roads have been washed away, cutting off links between Gangtok and Siliguri. The authorities have assured that all stranded tourists are safe and will be rescued once communication lines are restored and the weather improves. Tourist associations are trying to advise those stranded to stay in their hotels until further arrangements can be made.

Forest dept to curb cases of tourists driving on beaches

The Goa forest department has activated a network of first responders to report vehicles driving on the beach, in an effort to protect the fragile beach ecosystem. The department has collaborated with private environmental organisations to respond to marine animal strandings and now these first responders will also report any vehicles on the beach. This has already reduced the number of such cases in recent months. The forest department has created marine ranges and a marine department to enable marine conservation in the state.

Auto driver arrested for stealing jewellery from tourist

An auto driver in Indore was arrested for stealing a tourist's bag containing jewelry worth Rs 90,000. The theft occurred when the tourist had boarded the auto and went to a market. She left her bag inside the auto and later discovered it missing. In other news, an auto driver in Kolkata forced a passenger off his auto for protesting against picking up a fifth passenger, while in Kochi, an auto driver was arrested for a hit-and-run case resulting in a woman's death.

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