Shimla, June 15
Heavy tourist inflow over the weekend brought traffic to a standstill on several key routes in Himachal Pradesh, with travellers remaining stranded for hours and many abandoning their plans midway due to severe congestion.
The worst affected stretches included the Dalhousie to Khajjiar route in Chamba district and the Dharamshala to McLeod Ganj road in Kangra district, both of which witnessed long queues of vehicles as tourists flocked to the hill state to escape the heat in the plains.
Traffic reportedly came to a standstill on the nearly 22-kilometer-long Dalhousie-to-Khajjiar route via Lakarmandi on Sunday, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded for several hours. The scenic route, which normally takes about an hour to cross, remained heavily congested throughout the day.
Frustrated travellers questioned the administration over the collection of tourist fees despite what they described as poor traffic regulation and inadequate public facilities.
“We have spent so much money on this trip, but there are no toilets or water available, and now police have been deployed only to regulate traffic,” a tourist from Bihar said while speaking about the prolonged delays.
Several visitors claimed there was no proper planning despite the annual surge in tourist numbers during the summer season.
Locals also pointed to the growing pressure on hill roads, saying vehicle numbers have increased significantly over the years while parking spaces and traffic arrangements have failed to keep pace.
Residents and business owners said traffic congestion has now become a recurring issue during peak tourist months, affecting both tourism and local livelihoods.
The Dharamshala to McLeod Ganj stretch also witnessed severe traffic snarls over the weekend, with commuters reporting unusually long delays on the otherwise short hill drive.
Locals said the worsening congestion has started impacting emergency services as ambulances carrying critically ill patients, school buses, and office commuters often remain trapped in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
“Unless the number of vehicles entering Upper Dharamshala is regulated, the situation will only worsen. Visitors are avoiding the area because of the congestion, and local businesses are suffering,” said Nilofer, a shopkeeper in McLeod Ganj.
Transport operators also expressed concern over the impact on tourism-related businesses.
“Many tourists are now reluctant to book trips to McLeod Ganj because they know they may spend hours stuck in traffic. This is directly affecting our livelihoods,” local transporter Abhay Dev said.
Tourists and residents have urged the administration to introduce long-term measures, including improved parking facilities, stricter vehicle regulations, and additional police deployment, to manage traffic pressure during peak tourist seasons.
