From Manali To Mysuru, Long Weekend Rush Makes Traffic Crawl At Tourist Spots

As the long weekend approaches, a surge in traffic is observed as holiday enthusiasts make their way to popular tourist destinations to celebrate Christmas and New Year.

Traffic snarl from Manali to Atal Tunnel

The scenic hill towns of Manali, Kasol, and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh are once again buzzing with festive fervor as tourists flock to enjoy the holiday season. However, the influx of visitors is causing bumper-to-bumper traffic in these picturesque destinations.

Reports indicate heavy traffic from the Atal Tunnel to Manali, creating long queues along the route. The Atal Tunnel, a remarkable feat of Himalayan engineering, is an integral part of the Leh-Manali Highway, boasting the distinction of being the longest single-tube highway tunnel situated above 10,000 feet.

Manali to Atal Tunnel pic.twitter.com/bYW6PGaaiB

¡ª Weatherman Shubham (@shubhamtorres09) December 23, 2023

As the year-end festivities approach, the Shimla district police are gearing up for a substantial surge in visitors. Anticipating over one lakh tourist vehicles to throng the hill town in the last week of December, the atmosphere is expected to be vibrant and chaotic with the celebrations.

To further enhance the festive spirit, the Mayor of Shimla City has arranged the inaugural winter carnival. This event is designed not only to draw tourists to the state but also to offer a platform for revelry, showcasing the cultural richness and traditions of Himachal Pradesh.

Tourists are already flocking to the picturesque state, enticed by the possibility of experiencing snowfall in the enchanting landscapes as the year concludes. Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Shimla, highlighted a steady rise in the number of tourist vehicles, indicating the growing influx of visitors to the region.

He stated, "There is a particular surge in vehicles entering the city, with the count rising from the usual 5,000 to 6,000 to 12,000 to 13,000 vehicles per day. This number is expected to escalate further to 20,000 around Christmas and the New Year."

Kms-long traffic on Bengaluru highway

Even down South, thousands of tourists were seen flocking to Mysuru and Kodagu on Saturday to celebrate the holidays, leading to congested toll booths on the Bengaluru Highway to Mysuru and traffic snarls of up to two kilometers at entry points to Kodagu. The scenes depict bumper-to-bumper traffic as holidaymakers travel to these popular destinations, creating congestion and delays.

Thousands of tourists are visiting Mysuru and Kodagu to spend Christmas and New Year holidays. The scenes at toll booths leading to Mysuru on the Bengaluru Highway are choked with bumper-to-bumper traffic. Also, Kodagu's entry points face traffic snarls up to two kilometres. pic.twitter.com/I7riEpijhF

¡ª Star Of Mysore (@Star_Of_Mysore) December 23, 2023

The week-long winter carnival is scheduled to commence on Christmas Day, December 25, in the afternoon. While Christmas is rooted in Christian traditions, the holiday has evolved into a global cultural celebration, embraced by people of various backgrounds.

Orthodox and Coptic Christians will observe Christmas on January 7.

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