Manali and popular Tourist Spots grapple with heavy traffic gridlock during Christmas and New Year rush

A significant influx of tourists heading to hilly regions for Christmas and New Year celebrations triggered massive traffic gridlocks, causing extensive challenges for commuters. The routes leading to Manali in Himachal Pradesh witnessed substantial congestion, with vehicles piled up in a traffic snarl, as depicted in videos shared on social media.

Videos posted by news agency ANI showcased vehicles en route to Manali trapped in extensive traffic congestion. Social media users shared their frustration, detailing prolonged waits and expressing concerns about the lack of traffic management.

User frustrations

One user complained, "Stuck on Manali to Atal tunnel road since 5 hours where is the traffic police and what the administration is doing." Another shared a video displaying the traffic deadlock and called for intervention.

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Similar traffic jams were reported in other tourist hotspots, including Mysuru, Kodagu, Mumbai to Pune, Mahabaleshwar, and Goa. Toll booths and entry points to these destinations experienced bumper-to-bumper traffic, causing delays for holiday travelers.

Meanwhile, the Atal Tunnel at Rohtang Pass experienced fresh snowfall, adding to the challenges faced by travelers. The tunnel, located on the Leh-Manali Highway, is the longest single-tube highway tunnel above 10,000 feet.

Holiday travel rush

As people flocked to various tourist destinations for the Christmas and New Year holidays, the surge in holiday travel created congestion on major routes. Videos and social media posts highlighted the traffic chaos, urging authorities to address the situation and ensure smoother travel for commuters.

The holiday travel rush led to widespread traffic disruptions in popular tourist spots, emphasizing the need for effective traffic management and planning to accommodate the surge in visitors during the festive season.

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