The case of a shaky crown

August is here and the tourist inflow has already started to dwindle in the Queen of the Hills. Contrary to tall claims made by the administration in terms of upgradation of facilities in Mussoorie as a tourist destination, nothing much really seems to be rectified. Lack of proper planning and infrastructure has been evident this season and tourists were not happy with infrastructure available, even as traffic congestion at the entry of the town is getting from bad to worse.

Speaking to The Times of Doon MLA Jot Singh Gunsola says, "This is indeed a matter of great concern and shame as how the visitors are greeted in the town. Mussoorie is supposed to be an exotic hill station which has witnessed a regal history. The visitors certainly get annoyed by the way they are welcomed in the town after paying the eco tax and numerous fees at various entry points and parking points. The hill resort has been made into a hoarding town as the chaotic signage leads to nothing but confusion."

The unchecked movement of vehicles, especially the buses coming from Haridwar and Rishikesh, contribute towards the traffic congestions which often scramble the itinerary of tourists. "I hold the administration responsible for the failure of upholding Mussoorie as a hill station. Tourists no longer prefer Mussoorie as a holiday destination. This is evident from the fact that total occupancy in hotels in and around the town is only 35 to 40 days out of 365 days. There isn't even a proper tourist information brochure. With no proper infrastructure, the Queen of the Hills is dying a slow death," warns Sunny Sahni, spokesperson of the Mussoorie Hotels Association.

"I strongly believe that the heritage buildings and sites in and around the town should get immediate attention in terms of identification, restoration and promotion as tourist destinations," suggests Rajat Kapoor of the Brentwood Hotels and Resorts. The laming tourist inflow is costing dearly to the economy of the city which primarily depends on tourism. The other sources of revenue, which are the schools, are not going great guns as they used to a couple of decades ago. "Business has suffered and it is high time something is done to improve the situation. On the other hand, street vendors and hawkers, who don't pay any tax for their stalls, are selling cheap and unhygienic goods on the Mall Road thus contributing towards health hazards and over stretching garbage dump. The environment is suffering heavily too," claims Rajat Aggarwal, president of the Mussoorie Traders Association.