Gridlock in Shimla as heavy tourist influx triggers long traffic queues

As scorching temperatures continue across the plains, tourists are flocking to the hill station of Shimla in search of relief from the summer heat. However, the sharp rise in visitor numbers has led to severe traffic congestion at major entry points to the popular destination, widely known as the "Queen of Hills".

To tackle the situation, Shimla Police have intensified traffic management efforts by deploying additional traffic riders and interceptor vehicles, alongside dividing the city into different sectors. Additional SP Abhishek said mobile traffic riders are proving effective in quickly responding to congestion hotspots and ensuring smoother traffic movement.

According to police data, over 1.54 lakh vehicles entered Shimla between May 18 and 24 through the Solan, Bilaspur, and Kinnaur routes. The Solan–Shimla stretch alone accounted for more than 1.04 lakh vehicles. Authorities expect the rush to increase further during the upcoming long weekend and have urged tourists to follow traffic rules and cooperate with officials.