KULLU
President Droupadi Murmu’s highly anticipated trip to the famous Atal Tunnel was cancelled due to poor weather conditions.
Strong winds and the threat of snow forced officials to change her itinerary during her five-day summer stay in Himachal Pradesh. The decision was made early Wednesday morning to ensure the safety of the President and her team.
Before the weather turned, the Kullu district administration had spent days preparing for the high-profile guest. District Magistrate Anurag Chandra Sharma had put strict security rules in place, banning all weapons and restricting movement along the route to Manali. These tight measures were meant to protect the area from the tunnel’s south portal all the way to the local helipad. Now that the visit is off, police and local authorities are beginning to scale down these heavy security protocols.
President Murmu was greeted warmly in Shimla by Governor Kavinder Gupta and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Despite the cancellation of today’s mountain trip, her tour continues with other major events. She is still expected to attend a university graduation ceremony in Palampur and visit the Army Training Command before heading back to Delhi.
While locals in Manali were disappointed not to see the President, the administration remains focused on her remaining schedule. For now, the snowy peaks near the tunnel remain quiet as the state focuses on providing a comfortable and safe summer retreat for India’s leader.