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The delay in opening of the Manali-Spiti-Leh highway has hit the lucrative adventure tourism industry of the entire region for which this tourist town serves as a base camp. Hoteliers along the highway have suffered the most as they are yet to open their account books after the closure of the highway in November 2013.

Expecting that the Manali-Leh highway would open in the third week of May, hoteliers had accepted advance bookings from tourists. But with the highway still closed they have started cancelling the bookings and are refunding the advance amount. While the good snowfall in Himachal has been beneficial for Manali, it has spelled disaster for businesses in Lahaul-Spiti.

"I have refunded the advance amount to tourists and travel agents. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had put in all its efforts to open the Manali-Keylong highway because of elections. But now that the elections are over, nobody is bothered," owner of hotel Dekyid in Keylong, Tashi Barongpa, said.

The highway was opened on May 24 last year. After seeing BRO's work, everybody was expecting that it might take less time this year. Jay Lal, booking manager of hotel Ibex in Jispa, said, "A few of the bookings that were made before May 25 have been cancelled. Now, we are worried about bookings till May 31." Camping sites of Sarchu, a preferred halting point on the Manali-Leh route, are expected to get functional after mid-June.

The Manali-Spiti highway is also not likely to open before June-end. Hoteliers rued that they are losing out days in the mere three to four months in which they do business as the area remains cut-off for the rest of the year due to heavy snowfall. According to BRO officials, heavy snowfall and large number of avalanches have made their snow-clearing operation difficult.

Source-On Request