Tourists from Gujarat and Rajasthan throng Lonavala after Diwali, traffic jams on expressway

Lonavala, the popular hill station, saw heavy tourist crowds on Monday (November 9), a day after Lakshmi Puja on Diwali. People from Gujarat, Rajasthan and some other states came to spend the festival holidays. The rise in visitors brought more activity to the town's roads, popular sightseeing spots, hotels and markets.

Large numbers of families and groups of friends have planned trips to Lonavala and nearby Khandala for the Diwali holidays. Visitors from Gujarat and Rajasthan are arriving in private vehicles and tourist buses. Tourists from different parts of Maharashtra, including Pune, Mumbai, Thane and Nashik, have also added to the crowds.

Places such as Bhushi Dam, Tiger Point, Lions Point, Lohagad Fort, Visapur Fort, the Karla Caves and the Bhaja Caves are expected to draw heavy crowds during the holidays.

The arrival of tourists has also increased business in local markets, hotels, resorts and food stalls. Hoteliers, tourism-linked businesspeople, chikki sellers and food vendors are hoping for higher business in the festive season.

Meanwhile, the increased tourist movement has led to congestion on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the old Mumbai-Pune highway. Long queues of vehicles have been reported on the roads leading to Lonavala and around the Khandala ghat. The market areas, hotels, resorts and popular eateries in the town were also crowded.

Tourist arrivals are expected to stay high through the holidays. Good arrangements by the police and the traffic department will be important to avoid jams on the main roads and at popular tourist spots.

The festival crowds have once again shown that Lonavala is a favourite holiday destination. They are also giving a boost to local tourism and the hotel trade.