North India hills, choked by mile-long traffic jams, are sending tourists back. Viral videos

The scorching heat of Delhi has prompted many residents to plan trips to nearby hill stations. However, this collective decision has led to disappointment as authorities have been turning away numerous tourists due to overcrowding.

The residents of Delhi-NCR are no strangers to the intense June-July heat, and seeking respite from it often involves visiting popular hill stations like Nainital, Kasauli, Manali, and Shimla. Unfortunately, these hill stations have witnessed an unusually high number of visitors this year, resulting in authorities turning away many tourists. Disappointed travellers have also voiced complaints about their pre-booked accommodations being cancelled by hotels.

Since the beginning of 2023, the trend of escaping to the hills has been prevalent in these popular hill stations of north India.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

According to the Director of the Tourism Department of Himachal Pradesh, between January and May, the region welcomed over 7.2 million tourists. Before the pandemic, the annual count stood at approximately 17 million, but during the pandemic, the figure dropped to 3.2 million before gradually recovering to 5.7 million. Last year, the state received a total of 15.1 million tourists, indicating a revival of tourism through robust marketing and other strategic initiatives.