Shimla: Several parts of India are currently reeling under extreme heat, with afternoons feeling like a blazing furnace as temperatures continue to soar. In search of relief from the scorching weather, people are increasingly heading towards hill stations.
Over the past few days, tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh have witnessed a huge surge in visitors escaping the intense heatwave. Popular hill stations like Shimla and Manali have seen long queues of vehicles, leading to massive traffic jams. In many cases, tourists reportedly spent most of their vacations stuck inside their vehicles.
Officials said that around 6,31,000 vehicles reached Shimla within just 24 days. Out of these, more than 70,000 vehicles arrived in the last 72 hours alone. While the summer season usually draws large crowds every year, officials say this year’s figures appear to be breaking previous records.
The heavy inflow of vehicles into the “Queen of Hills” has severely affected the city’s traffic system.
Tourist Rush Increases in Shimla
As temperatures continue to rise in the plains, tourist crowds in hill stations like Shimla are also growing rapidly. Reports of severe traffic congestion emerged from several areas in recent days. It is believed that people from Delhi-NCR and nearby states are flocking to Shimla to escape the unbearable heat.
According to officials, nearly 3,70,000 vehicles entered Shimla through the Chandigarh-Kalka route over the past 24 days. Apart from this, a large number of vehicles also arrived through Kinnaur, Bilaspur and Kullu routes.
A police official said the sudden surge in tourist arrivals has worsened Shimla’s long-standing parking problem.
70,000 Vehicles Reached in 72 Hours
Officials revealed that more than 1,54,000 vehicles entered Shimla in the last one week alone, including nearly 70,000 in just 72 hours. The increasing number of vehicles has put additional pressure on traffic management across the city.
Authorities said special arrangements have been made to manage the growing rush. Shimla has been divided into five zones, with separate officers assigned responsibility for traffic management in each zone.
Record Rush Expected in June
Officials said June generally marks the peak tourist season in Himachal Pradesh due to summer vacations, and this year the administration has already started strengthening traffic management preparations.
Authorities also confirmed that additional police personnel will be deployed after the ongoing Panchayat elections conclude on May 31.
Usually, the peak tourism season in Himachal Pradesh begins during the first week of June. However, this year, severe heat conditions in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi and several other northern states have pushed tourists towards Shimla much earlier than usual.
