Thousands of tourists flocking to the Kullu-Manali region this summer are facing hours-long traffic congestion on roads leading to Rohtang Pass and the Atal Tunnel. Yet, despite the frustrating delays, most visitors say the stunning mountain scenery, pleasant weather and abundant snow at Rohtang Pass make the experience memorable and worth the effort.
With temperatures soaring across the plains, Himachal Pradesh has emerged as one of the most sought-after summer destinations. The surge in tourist arrivals has brought a major boost to the local tourism industry but has simultaneously put tremendous pressure on the region’s road infrastructure.
Long queues of vehicles have become a routine sight on the Manali-Rohtang road and around the Atal Tunnel. Traffic congestion is particularly severe between Solang valley and Manali, where tourists often remain stranded for hours. Visitors report that even relatively short stretches can take an unexpectedly long time to cover during peak hours.
Among those affected were Minakshi Ramnemi from Jaipur and Yuvraj from Punjab, who recently visited Rohtang Pass. Speaking about their experience, they said that travelling to the high-altitude destination and returning to Manali proved exhausting because of the prolonged traffic jams. However, the moment they reached Rohtang Pass, the hardships of the journey seemed to fade away.
The tourists described the destination as a paradise, especially in June when snow continues to blanket large stretches of the landscape. They spent time enjoying snow-based activities, horse riding, mountain biking and paragliding, making the trip a memorable one despite the delays on the road.
Minakshi pointed out that while the overall tourist experience in the region remains excellent, traffic management requires immediate attention. She suggested that deploying more police personnel along the route could significantly improve vehicle movement and reduce waiting times for visitors. According to her, traffic jams consume valuable vacation time and often become the most difficult part of an otherwise enjoyable holiday.
Tourists have reported that the return journey from the Atal Tunnel to Manali, a distance of approximately 25 km, can take nearly three hours because of congestion. Major bottlenecks are frequently witnessed near Solang valley and on the outskirts of Manali, where traffic movement slows considerably as vehicle numbers swell.
Responding to the concerns, Manali DSP KD Sharma said the heavy tourist inflow combined with the narrow road stretches leading to Rohtang Pass and the Atal Tunnel often results in traffic congestion during the peak season. He said police personnel have already been deployed to regulate traffic and assist visitors. The police have also sought additional manpower from the state headquarters to strengthen traffic management arrangements.
According to Sharma, more than 3,000 vehicles from outside states are entering Manali every day, apart from Volvo buses, clearly indicating the scale of tourist inflow currently being witnessed in the region.
Police data reflects the growing rush. Between June 1 and 7, a total of 36,108 vehicles entered the Atal Tunnel on the Manali-Leh highway, while 42,883 vehicles exited. During the same period, 19,669 vehicles and 455 Volvo buses from other states crossed the Green Tax Barrier at Manali. On June 8 alone, 5,311 vehicles entered the Atal Tunnel and 6,408 exited, while 3,043 vehicles from outside states and 69 Volvo buses crossed the barrier.
Kullu SP Madan Lal Kaushal said a formal request has been sent to the police headquarters in Shimla for additional force during the tourist season. He noted that traffic inflow traditionally remains high in May and June due to increased tourist arrivals in Kullu, Manali, Rohtang Pass and the Atal Tunnel region. The district police are now awaiting a response from higher authorities.
Meanwhile, the tourism sector continues to thrive. Hotel operators in Manali report occupancy levels exceeding 90 per cent in recent days as travellers seek refuge from the intense summer heat in the plains. With pleasant weather and ample snow still available at Rohtang Pass, tourism stakeholders expect visitor numbers to remain strong in the coming weeks, even as authorities grapple with the challenge of managing growing traffic on the region’s roads.