Himachal Pradesh news: Traffic congestion in Kasol, Manali, Shimla Highway ahead of Christmas Eve

livemint.com:

Himachal Pradesh like Kasol and Manali are witnessing massive traffic congestion as tourists flock the hill stations causing slow vehicular movement as Christmas Eve nears. Further Atal Tunnel in Rohtang Pass received fresh snowfall on Saturday. The Atal Tunnel, an engineering marvel in the Himalayas, is a highway tunnel constructed under the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir Panjal range.

Located on the Leh-Manali Highway in Himachal Pradesh, India, it holds the distinction of being the longest single-tube highway tunnel situated above 10,000 feet, as per the Border Roads Organisation's official website. On Thursday, the police in Shimla district said they were anticipating a huge rush of visitors ahead of Christmas and the year-end festivities. Police said they were expecting over one lakh tourist vehicles to roll into the hill town in the last week of December, on the eve of Christmas and New Year.

The Mayor of Shimla City has planned the first-ever winter carnival to draw tourists to the state for the year-end festivities and frolicking while also promoting the traditions and culture of Himachal Pradesh. Tourists have already started arriving in the hilly state in large numbers in anticipation of snowfall in the exotic locales as the year draws to a close. Speaking to ANI, Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Shimla, said, "The police are expecting over one lakh tourist vehicles to roll into the hill town in the last week of this year." "Police brace for myriad challenges as the seasons change in Shimla.

The number of vehicles in the city has been increasing on weekends. We will serve as facilitators for the tourists, those involved in the hospitality business and other stakeholders. We will hold