U’khand tourism dept to hold national winter games in Auli

The Uttarakhand tourism department will organise national winter games in Auli, said secretary (tourism) Dilip Jawalkar on Wednesday. The official also maintained that the state will organise an international Yoga festival in Rishikesh, like the past several years, with Covid-19 regulations in place. While addressing a meeting of the officials of Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB), Jawalkar instructed the officials to ensure proper arrangements of electricity, water supply, medical, security, and equipment which would be used during the event. He also said that the review of the Auli Walkway, Ropeway, Chairlift, and Skylift should also be done before the event. He further suggested that a Destination Development Committee should be formed, including the local people, Municipal Cooperation, Hotel Association members, and others for better work coordination. He also said that a Skii School should be set up in Auli for the people seeking skiing training in Uttarakhand. Ashish Chauhan, general secretary, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), said that the first phase work for Poma Skiing Lift was recently completed. The work of revamping the proposed chairlift in the second phase came to halt due to Covid-19 but it has restarted. “The repairing works of the Artificial Snow Making Operator System, Combined Pump, Dialog Cables, Compressor, Air Supply System, Mobile, and Static Gun, Snowmaking System were also completed recently,” added Chauhan. With regard to the preparation of the International Yoga Festival, Jawalkar said that astrology experts and foot massage counters should also be added.