
Manali Roads Choked: Holiday Celebrations Cause Severe Traffic
As Christmas approaches, the enchanting tourist havens of Shimla and Manali in Himachal Pradesh are witnessing a notable surge in visitor numbers.
Significant traffic congestion has been reported on the National Highway leading to the Atal Tunnel. Heavy traffic has resulted in jams between Manali and Vashisth Chowk, from Potato Ground to Rangadi, and along Solang Nala to the Atal Tunnel. Additionally, traffic snarls have been observed in the picturesque locales of Kasol and Jari. On the highway connecting Shimla and Shoghi, a noticeable traffic jam has also been reported.
This heightened influx of tourists underscores the popularity of these Himachal Pradesh destinations during the festive season, creating vibrant scenes but also posing challenges in terms of traffic management. Travelers are flocking to experience the holiday spirit in these scenic locations, contributing to the festive fervor but necessitating careful navigation through the increased vehicular activity.
Rohtang and Sissu areas are witnessing an influx of tourists following Saturday’s snowfall. Anticipating more visitors, especially in Manali, as the weather is projected to remain dry until December 28.

Surender Pal, the Head of the Meteorological Centre in Shimla, stated, “A white Christmas is not on the cards, and dry weather is forecasted from December 24 to December 28, 2023. However, there is a likelihood of light rainfall or snowfall at isolated locations between December 29 and 30. Broadly speaking, snowfall or rainfall is expected in Himachal towards the end of December or the initial days of January.”
Even without a white Christmas, Himachal Pradesh is experiencing chilly weather, as evidenced by the minimum temperatures recorded in various areas. On Sunday, Sissu and the Atal Tunnel regions reported a bone-chilling minimum temperature of -2°C. Meanwhile, Shimla registered a minimum temperature of 4 degrees Celsius, and Manali experienced even colder conditions, dropping to as low as 2°C.
OCCUPANCY AT HOTELS ALMOST FULL
Hotel occupancy in Shimla and Manali has reached near-full capacity, prompting hoteliers to recommend that tourists check for room availability before planning their stay. The substantial increase in tourist numbers is being viewed as a positive development for the tourism industry, which faced setbacks during the monsoon season due to heavy rains causing landslides and floods.
Industry sources reveal that hotel occupancy in Shimla and Manali is currently ranging from 80 to 90 percent. In light of the Christmas festivities and the approaching New Year, accommodations in these sought-after destinations are nearly fully booked, underscoring the revival of tourism after the challenges posed by the monsoon season.
In addition to Shimla and Manali, tourists are diversifying their destinations, exploring popular places like Kasol, Tirthan Valley, and Jibhi Valley to escape the bustling crowds. With hotel occupancy in Shimla reaching near capacity, visitors are opting to secure accommodations in nearby towns such as Kufri, Chail, Narkanda, Kasauli, and Solan.
Kiran Dev Sharma, a hotelier based in Manali, expressed optimism about a robust winter tourist season following losses incurred due to floods and landslides that damaged roads. Sharma mentioned, “We faced setbacks during the floods and landslides. However, we are anticipating a thriving winter tourist season, with nearly all rooms already booked, extending through New Year’s Eve.”
Winter Carnival In Shimla
In a bid to rejuvenate tourism after the severe monsoon landslides, Shimla is set to host its inaugural Winter Carnival. Spanning a week from Christmas Day to New Year’s Eve, the event aims to attract tourists and breathe life back into the city’s tourism sector.

The Winter Carnival’s inauguration will be led by Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, promising a showcase of Himachal’s vibrant culture and diverse cuisine. The event is generating optimism among Shimla hoteliers, who see it as a promising opportunity to recover losses. Thousands of tourists are expected to flock to the city to partake in the Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
With an anticipation of nearly one lakh tourist vehicles during the holiday season, the administration has taken measures to handle the expected surge in traffic. The city has been strategically divided into four sectors, and ten platoons of police personnel have been deployed to manage traffic and ensure security throughout the festive period.