Traffic Gridlock: Shimla, Surrounding Areas Grapple With 55,000 Vehicle Surge

During the bustling Christmas weekend, over 55,000 vehicles made their way into Shimla, creating extensive traffic congestions exacerbated by snowfall in Shimla, Manali, and Kasol.

Reports from officials indicate a significant influx of vehicles, with approximately 55,000 traversing the Atal tunnel in Rohtang, linking Kullu and Lahaul and Spiti, within the last three days. Social media has been flooded with videos depicting long lines of vehicles crowding the roads.

Sanjay Kundu, the Director General of Police in Shimla, urged tourists to prioritize safe travel practices and comply with traffic regulations to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.

Projections suggest an expectation of over 1 lakh vehicles entering Shimla for New Year celebrations this week. Current police data reflects approximately 60,000 vehicles parked along the city's roadsides. Typically, Shimla sees an average of 12,000 vehicles on weekdays, a number surging to over 26,000 during weekends amid peak tourist seasons.

The Atal Tunnel, spanning 9.2 kilometers, stands as the world's highest single-tube tunnel above 10,000 feet.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu commended the district administration and the police for their commendable efforts in handling the substantial tourist influx efficiently.