Over the weekend, a massive influx of tourists seeking respite from the plains caused severe traffic congestion on multiple key routes in Himachal Pradesh, leaving travelers stranded for hours and forcing some to cancel their plans.
Traffic Collapse on Khajjiar-Dalhousie Route
On Sunday, the approximately 22-kilometer Khajjiar-Dalhousie road witnessed a complete breakdown of traffic flow, with long queues of vehicles forming on the Lakarmandi route. Hundreds of tourists were stuck in the gridlock for several hours.
Lakarmandi is a high-altitude mountain pass and a major junction in Chamba district. The scenic route connecting Dalhousie to Khajjiar—often called the "mini-Switzerland of India"—usually takes about an hour to traverse under normal conditions.
Angry travelers questioned the rationale behind the administration collecting various tourist fees when they failed to provide efficient traffic management. Tourists from Bihar and Banaras reported being stuck for four hours, noting that authorities were "missing" and that despite the seasonal crowd surge, there seemed to be "no concrete plan for traffic management."
Vasundhra, a tourist from Bihar, lamented, "We have spent so much money on this trip, but there are no toilets or water available. Now, police have been deployed to regulate traffic."
Locals Call for Long-Term Solutions
Local residents pointed out that vehicle numbers on the Dalhousie-Khajjiar route increase steadily during tourist season, but parking and traffic management infrastructure have not kept pace. They emphasized that prolonged jams have become a seasonal norm.
Tourists and locals urged the administration to devise long-term solutions, including deploying additional police forces, implementing better traffic plans, and improving parking arrangements to ensure smooth vehicle movement.
Dharamsala-McLeod Ganj Also Hit
The picturesque journey from Dharamsala to Upper Dharamsala (McLeod Ganj) in Kangra district, once a pleasant 15-minute drive, also experienced severe jams over the weekend.
The worsening gridlock has created alarming situations for emergency services. Ambulances carrying critically ill patients often get trapped in bumper-to-bumper traffic, while government officials, school buses, and daily commuters face significant delays.
Locals reported that frustration among motorists frequently leads to heated arguments and sometimes physical altercations on congested roads.
Nilofer, a shopkeeper in McLeod Ganj, said, "Unless the number of vehicles entering Upper Dharamsala is regulated, the situation will only worsen. Visitors are avoiding the area because of the congestion, and local businesses are suffering."
Local transporter Abhay Dev added, "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."
Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj attract thousands of domestic and international visitors annually, including pilgrims, spiritual seekers, trekkers, and tourists drawn by the presence of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and the scenic beauty of the Dhauladhar mountains.
