Summer rush begins early in Shimla with 6.31 lakh vehicles arriving in 24 days

Tourists are flocking to key hill destinations in Himachal Pradesh to escape the scorching heat in the plains, with around 6,31,000 vehicles reaching Shimla in the past 24 days, including nearly 70,000 in the last 72 hours, officials said.

With temperatures continuing to rise across several parts of north India, the summer tourist season in Himachal Pradesh has picked up pace even before reaching its peak.

Shimla, popularly known as the ‘Queen of Hills’, is already witnessing heavy traffic congestion as thousands of tourists arrive in the city every day.

The sharp rise in tourist inflow has led to frequent traffic jams across several parts of the state capital, while the growing number of vehicles has further increased pressure on parking facilities.

Officials said that during the past 24 days, around 3,70,000 vehicles entered Shimla from the Chandigarh-Kalka side.

A large number of tourists also reached the city through routes connected to Kinnaur, Bilaspur and Kullu.

According to police data, more than 1,54,450 vehicles entered Shimla over the past week alone, while close to 70,000 vehicles arrived in just the last 72 hours.

The sudden surge has added to the city’s long-standing parking problem, ASP Abhishek told PTI Videos on Tuesday.

“In response to the ever-increasing vehicular pressure, special arrangements have been made across the city.

Shimla has been divided into five zones and the responsibility to manage traffic has been entrusted to a gazetted officer in each,” the officer said.

“Volunteers are also being enlisted to assist in managing traffic, while police are facilitating the use of alternative routes to ease congestion within the city,” he said.

Police have also appealed to tourists to follow traffic rules and cooperate with authorities to help manage the rush during the busy summer season.