Valle Nevado extends ski season until December 1st after snow accumulation

The government has announced a new service for private vehicle owners residing near road toll plazas. Starting November 1st, they can obtain an annual pass for 1500 rupees. This pass is exclusively intended for private car owners living within a 20-kilometer radius of the toll collection point.

It is important to note that this pass differs from the annual FASTag pass costing 3075 rupees. The 3075 rupee pass is for everyone and covers 200 crossings, whereas the 1500 rupee pass is only available to those who regularly use the roads and are required to pay for passage, provided they live near the toll plaza.

This pass, which will become effective on November 1st, can be obtained online. To do so, you must download the RajmargYatra application, which is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. After logging in with a mobile phone number, select the 'Local Pass' option on the main page instead of the 'Annual Pass.'

Verification requires a DigiLocker account linked to Aadhaar, as well as a valid FASTag and the vehicle's registration number. Furthermore, the name in the RC and Aadhaar documents must match.

After selecting the option, you need to specify the exact toll plaza. Then, complete the verification process and make the payment. Following this, the applicant will be issued a new local annual pass, valid from November 1st. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways provided information about this pass, clarifying that its purpose is to offer preferential fares to residents living near toll plazas on national highways.

Thus, starting November 1st, non-commercial vehicle owners meeting the criteria can use this pass within 20 kilometers of the toll plaza.

This pass will work in conjunction with a valid and functional FASTag. All established rules must be followed, as the pass does not guarantee usage at every toll plaza; it is valid only at one specific toll plaza.

The cost of the pass is set at 1500 rupees for toll plazas located outside municipal or city boundaries. If the toll plaza is inside these boundaries, the cost will be 3000 rupees. The government reserves the right to review this price annually in April.

It should be noted that this pass is not applicable to national highways or expressways operating under a closed-user toll collection system. It will also not be valid at toll plazas that have a service road or an alternative route of travel.

In the renowned Kedarnath temple complex in Uttarakhand state, snowfall has continued for the second consecutive day. Following the first heavy snowfall, the appearance of the sanctuary has completely changed: the surrounding hills are covered with a white snow cover, and the temple itself and the area around it have also begun to snow.

On one hand, the snow-covered mountains attract pilgrims, but the drop in temperature and severe cold create difficulties for travelers. The snowfall began last night and has led to a significant drop in temperature in Kedarnath, intensifying the feeling of cold, especially in open areas where pilgrims are located and moving.

After prolonged snowfalls, the peaks around Kedarnath look completely white. The area near the temple is also covered in snow. Videos have appeared online from this location showing snow falling from the sky, and the mountains covered in a white blanket.

Every year at the beginning of winter, the temperature in Kedarnath begins to drop sharply. This year, the heavy snowfall has intensified the impact of the cold. These weather changes force people arriving at the sanctuary to exercise increased caution.

The continuous snowfall for the second day in a row has led to increased cold. In such weather conditions, it is extremely important that pilgrims arriving at the sanctuary have warm clothing with them. Those traveling during the snowfall must monitor the weather conditions and take precautions.

Although the sight of Kedarnath during snowfall can be very picturesque, the drop in temperature and changeable weather remain a serious challenge for pilgrims.

Heavy snow regularly falls in Kedarnath during winter, causing the temple to close for the winter period. This year, the temple gates will close on November 11th in observance of Bhai Dooj festival at 8:30 AM. After this, the sacred procession of Baba Kedar will proceed to the Omkareshwar temple, located in Ukhimath. Worship of Baba will be conducted there during the winter. Next year, the gates will reopen at a favorable time in the summer.

Work to revitalize and expand the sandy strip at Grasia Beach in Palmas has been ongoing for the fourth month. Initially, it was expected that the repairs would be completed within 40 days. According to information from the city hall, the project involves increasing the sandy strip by 29.1 thousand square meters.

The Palmas City Hall reported that the work is being carried out in stages and continues. The municipality specified that there is no final deadline for the repair, as further stages will depend on weather conditions and the progress of the work.

Content of the beach work

The work on the beach includes the following measures: disabling the retaining wall, expanding the sandy strip by approximately 29.1 thousand square meters, renewing the sand on the beach, and complete sanitary cleaning of the area.

The City Hall also informed that this work does not incur costs for the municipality, as it is financed by donations from companies in the construction sector. Furthermore, the municipality's own equipment and materials are being used, which complies with environmental legislation.

In July 2026, the Anhanguera television channel reported a suspension of work on the beach. Vendors whose sales depend on tourism feel the negative impact of the lack of visitors. One street vendor, Bento Silva, noted: 'It is impossible to come to work and not meet tourists, people to buy my goods.'

Official statement from the Palmas City Hall

The Palmas City Hall, through the Municipal Department of Urban Cleaning, stated that the work to expand the sandy strip at Grasia Beach is continuing and is being carried out in stages. These services include sanitary cleaning of the area, disabling the retaining wall, and sand renewal.

It was emphasized that the intervention does not create costs for the Municipality and is provided through donations from construction industry companies, using equipment and materials belonging to the City Hall, in accordance with environmental legislation. Due to the scale of the project and the influence of adverse meteorological conditions, which may affect the pace of work and personnel safety, the completion date is subject to change and will be revised depending on the progress of each stage.

Municipal leadership confirms its commitment to the needs of the population and the tourism sector by continuing work to improve this important landmark of the Capital.