Finally, Manali mountaineering institute to have regular director

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 30

The long wait for appointment of a regular director of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Mountaineering and Allied Sports Institute, Manali, is likely to be over soon as the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) has fixed the interview on February 20.

The institute has been “headless” for the past more than 11 years, affecting its functioning and hampering the rescue operations and training programmes. At present, the Deputy Commissioner, Kullu, is holding the charge of the director after the retirement of the Deputy Director, who was officiating as director.

The interview was fixed for January 22 but postponed due to administrative reasons. As per the information available with The Tribune, a retired Army officer and a serving officer of paramilitary forces have applied for it.

The interview will be held on February 20 for the only post.

The recommendations of the commission will be sent to the government the same day, said Chairman, HPPSC, Major General DVS Rana (Retd).

The institution has vast infrastructure and skilled manpower trained in rescue operations in high-altitude mountainous areas and its services are requisitioned whenever trekkers or tourists go missing.

Conducting search and rescue operations in the snow-covered slopes and treacherous trekking routes under freezing conditions are a daunting task and private securities are reportedly charging heavily during such exigency.

Adventure activities, which require security arrangements for rescue and relief, are also hit in the absence of regular director and stakeholders in the tourism industry had been pressing for the early appointment, says local resident Bharat.

High-altitude tribal areas of Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, Pangi, Bharmaur and high passes are visited by thousands of tourists every year and any casualty due to slackness in rescue arrangements earns bad name for the state.

The institute is also conducting training courses for skiers, trekkers and mountaineers from across the country.