A heavy weekend rush in Himachal Pradesh left thousands of travellers stranded for hours on key highways, sparking frustration among tourists. Popular destinations like Manali and Shimla witnessed long vehicle queues as traffic congestion brought movement to a near standstill during peak travel hours.
Many visitors voiced anger over the imposition of tourist entry fees, arguing that basic traffic management was missing despite the charges. Travellers reported lack of police presence, poor diversion planning, and inadequate parking arrangements, which worsened the situation. Social media was flooded with complaints, with tourists questioning why fees were being collected without ensuring smooth travel experiences.
Local authorities acknowledged the surge in tourist numbers but said managing such high volumes over a short period remains challenging. Officials have assured that better traffic regulation measures, improved infrastructure, and stricter monitoring will be implemented in the coming weeks to avoid similar chaos, especially during peak holiday seasons.