Manali Beopar Mandal's decision to keep the market closed every Sunday has made the tourists unhappy. While the Mall Road was still crowded with tourists this Sunday as tourist had no idea about the decision, streets in the town were wearing a deserted look the whole day.

Those who had visited all tourist places around Manali in the last few days and had kept Sunday for necessary shopping were the most disappointed lot. Nitesh Sharma, a tourist from Gurgaon, said he would be returning home without shopping. He added, "We were here for the last four days and had reserved Sunday to explore the market and take home some souvenir before returning."

People in the tourism industry believe shutting down the market every Sunday could reduce the stay of people visiting Manali by one day. However, shopkeepers reasoned that there are anyway not many tourists around during off-season months.

According to Kamlesh Bodh, press secretary of Manali Beopar Mandal, "The decision has been taken after mutual consent of all shopkeepers. The market will remain open on Sunday during festivals and summer season in May and June. Also, restaurants, dhabas, medical and vegetable shops have been exempted from the decision," he said.