Delhi’s scorching heat has prompted many locals to plan a trip to a nearby hill station. However, this collective decision led to disappointment as the authorities turned away many tourists due to overcrowding.
Residents of Delhi-NCR are no strangers to the scorching heat from June to July, and seeking a vacation includes visiting popular hill stations like Nainital, Kasauli, Manali and Shimla. Unfortunately, these airports have seen a large number of visitors this year, which has caused the authorities to turn away many tourists. Frustrated travelers have also complained about hotels canceling their previously booked accommodation.
Since the beginning of 2023, the trend of escaping to the hills has been prevalent in these popular hill stations of north India.
Nainital
Renowned as one of India’s top hill stations, Nainital has been grappling with an overwhelming influx of tourists this year. The picturesque town, nestled in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, is facing a major challenge due to the surge in footfall.
@AU_HaldwaniNews @uttarakhandcops @ukcmo @AjaybhattBJP4UK @DM_NAINITAL
Condition of traffic jam starting from salri till ranibagh. This needs attention for a bypass route on priority. This is impacting tourism and employment. Special thanks Haldwani police and CPU for managing pic.twitter.com/fjUTg2YFGT
— #Ankit.Chandra (@AnkitCh44109161) June 11, 2023
Government officials from the Nainital district administration have stated that the hill station has reached its capacity to accommodate additional visitors. Measures have been taken to control the overwhelming crowds in order to maintain the ecological balance. Mall Road, a popular attraction, remains packed with thousands of people throughout the day. Consequently, visitors have been redirected and turned away. Previous experiences have shown that people tend to wander the streets late at night, posing safety challenges for the authorities.
Haridwar-Rishikesh
The Haridwar-Rishikesh journey has always been a popular tourist attraction in north India, with visitors planning trips there without considering the time of year.
@NHAI_Official @nitin_gadkari @pushkardhami
Heavy traffic on Rishikesh-Haridwar-Delhi route.
Current Location : Haridwar
Please look into it. Struggling since 1.5 hours for 1 km. pic.twitter.com/yODTbSACmO— Pravin Rakhecha (@PravinRakhecha) June 25, 2023
Famous for its religious significance, this sought-after destination has experienced a considerable increase in footfall, leading to extensive traffic jams on the Haridwar-Rishikesh connecting roadways, much to the disappointment of numerous tourists.
Shimla
Shimla has experienced a notable surge in tourist arrivals in recent months. This former summer capital of British India has attracted a significant number of visitors between January and May this year.
Just In: Shimla Traffic Jam#vikasnagar #shimla #HimachalPradesh pic.twitter.com/Jh8LJEXj4x
— Ankush Dobhal🇮🇳 (@DobhalAnkush) June 21, 2023
While increased tourism brings economic benefits to the state and various stakeholders, it also leads to traffic congestion during peak seasons, particularly on certain routes preferred by many tourists who travel in private vehicles.
Manali
Tourists are flocking to Manali to embrace the cool weather and escape the scorching heat. Recent data shows a significant increase in tourist vehicles from other states, with 23,662 registrations at the green tax barrier last week, compared to 17,964 in the previous week.
Chandigarh-Manali highway blocked for traffic due to flash flood near Aut in #Mandi, Shimla. pic.twitter.com/MjlANEdMj2
— Arun Gangwar (@AG_Journalist) June 26, 2023
Furthermore, the anticipated opening of Rohtang Pass is expected to further boost the number of tourists visiting the region. Inclement weather conditions and heavy rainfall have already caused significant traffic congestion on the roads of Kullu-Manali.
