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Written By: Om Thakur | Thenewsdose.com
Shimla: Tourists from across the country, including Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana and Delhi, are pouring into Himachal Pradesh to ring in the New Year amid fresh forecasts of snowfall in the hill state. Popular destinations such as Shimla and Manali are witnessing a massive surge in visitors hoping for a “white New Year”.
According to the India Meteorological Department, snowfall is likely in several parts of the state, including Shimla’s higher reaches and the districts of Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur, Kullu and Kangra. The weather department has indicated that the Kullu district may receive good snowfall from the night of December 30 to December 31, with snow likely to continue in the upper mountains on January 1 and 2.
Tourist Influx Peaks, Vehicles Flood Shimla and Manali
The year-end tourist season has reached its peak, with thousands of vehicles entering hill towns every day. In the past week alone, more than 13,240 tourist vehicles from other states crossed into Manali, while as many as 34,426 vehicles passed through the Atal Tunnel on the Manali–Leh highway. On December 26, traffic through the tunnel peaked at 7,237 vehicles — the highest so far this winter — followed by 6,848 vehicles on December 27.
Shimla, meanwhile, is bracing for an influx of 8,000 to 10,000 vehicles daily till the New Year, with over three lakh tourists expected to visit the state capital in the coming week. Adding to the festive buzz is Shimla’s nine-day Winter Carnival, which has become a significant draw for holidaymakers.
Traffic Snarls, Road Closures Add to Holiday Woes
The unprecedented rush, however, has resulted in massive traffic congestion across the hill region. Long jams have been reported in and around Shimla, Manali, Kasauli, Rohtang and Kufri, particularly from afternoon till late evening. Authorities have advised tourists to begin their journeys early in the morning to avoid peak congestion hours.
Road conditions have further compounded the problem. The Left Bank Road in Manali, once a key alternative route, has been badly damaged by monsoon rains and is now reduced to single-lane stretches at several points. In Shimla, the Shoghi–Anandpur–Mehli bypass has been closed following a landslide, forcing all traffic onto the already crowded Kalka–Shimla road. With snowfall forecasts fuelling excitement and tourist numbers continuing to rise, the coming days are expected to test both the patience of travellers and the capacity of Himachal’s hill infrastructure.
