3.3 lakh vehicles in 10 days: Record tourist rush cripples Himachal roads

Record Tourist Influx Cripples Himachal Pradesh’s Road Networks

3 3 lakh vehicles in 10 days - As scorching plains temperatures drive travelers to seek cooler destinations, Himachal Pradesh’s hill stations have become overwhelmed. Over the past ten days alone, more than 3.3 lakh vehicles have entered Shimla, the state’s summer capital, with traffic levels surpassing 30,000 daily. Manali, another bustling tourist hub, reported over 3,000 vehicles arriving daily, alongside Volvo buses. The strain on roads has reached a critical point, disrupting movement and causing severe delays.

Shimla’s Traffic Crisis Intensifies

With the peak of summer approaching, Shimla—revered as the Queen of Hills—is grappling with persistent gridlock. Assistant Superintendent of Police Abhishek stated, “Shimla witnesses around 30,000 vehicles daily, with over 7 lakh recorded in May alone. We’ve boosted personnel and redirected traffic to the bypass to ease bottlenecks.”

“We have increased personnel deployment and are diverting vehicles onto the bypass road to minimise bottlenecks within the town,” said Abhishek.

Infrastructure Strains and Policy Calls

The city’s aging roads are struggling under the weight of increasing traffic. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, addressing the launch of *City Limits: The Crisis of Urbanisation*, highlighted challenges such as overcrowding, limited parking, and water shortages.

“The problem is not over-tourism; the tourism infrastructure is weak and needs strengthening. We need new urban townships because infrastructure is lacking,” Sukhu emphasized.

State industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan echoed these concerns, noting that while tourism drives the economy, congestion will linger without modernization. “There’s an urgent need to train traffic police in gridlock management and address manpower shortages. Kullu and Manali lack sufficient personnel,” he added.

Choke Points and Unfulfilled Projects

A confidential source outlined specific bottlenecks in Shimla, including the Vidhan Sabha intersection, Khalini Chowk, and near the Lift. “Flyover projects have been approved for these areas, but implementation has stalled,” the official explained.

Impact on Local Economy

Despite the chaos, the surge in visitors has revitalized the hospitality sector. Manali’s Hoteliers’ Association president, Roshan Thakur, noted that occupancy rates have hit 80-90%, marking a post-pandemic high. “Traffic delays are inevitable, but the economic benefits are undeniable,” he said.

Dharamshala’s tourism sector also shows robust growth. Ashwani Bamba, head of the Dharamshala Hotel and Restaurant Association, highlighted that steady arrivals since May have kept hotel occupancy at 60-70% on weekdays, rising to 75% on weekends. He credited the IPL matches held in May for an early boost.

Challenges and Calls for Action

Charan Singh, a traveler from Uttar Pradesh, shared the frustration of the situation. “Himachal offers respite from heatwaves, but the slow-moving traffic and scarce parking spaces are a major downside,” he remarked.

“The slow-moving traffic and complete lack of parking lead to immense frustration,” Singh said.

Shimla’s police chief, KD Sharma, explained that congestion peaks near Rohtang Pass and the Atal Tunnel. “Traffic inflow remains high in May and June due to increased visits to these regions,” he noted. Police have deployed extra staff and requested additional manpower to manage the flow.