Congestion crisis: Narrow roads of Kullu buckle under tourist pressure

As mercury levels rise, tourists from across the country are heading to Kullu's serene locales like Manikaran for relief. However, the region's crumbling infrastructure and narrow roads have turned daily commutes into ordeals, especially along the Bhuntar-Manikaran route. Bottlenecks and congestion plague the Parbati Valley, frustrating commuters and disrupting local life.

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Residents report traffic jams stretching from Sarsari to Manikaran, with daily delays becoming routine. "It's a grave situation," said Mukesh, a local. Another resident, Vivek, revealed that while road widening proposals have existed for over a decade, no concrete steps have been taken. The July 2023 floods and landslides only worsened the situation, damaging key road stretches. Temporary fixes remain in place, while a shortage of police personnel exacerbates the mess.

The Jalori Pass area in the Banjar Valley is similarly overwhelmed. Narrow roads and an unregulated influx of tourists have led to hours-long traffic snarls. Haphazard vehicle parking adds to the chaos. Many pilgrims and visitors are forced to trek from Baranala to Jalori Pass due to the gridlock. Local tourism operators are urging authorities to deploy more personnel during the peak tourist season.

Resident Sunil expressed strong dissatisfaction with the lack of infrastructure development. "NH-305 was declared a national highway 12 years ago, but road widening promises haven't been fulfilled," he said. A tunnel proposed under Jalori Pass has further delayed progress. Sunil stressed that tunnel development should be accompanied by simultaneous road widening at both portals.

In Manali, the tourist rush has pushed local infrastructure to its limits. To ease congestion, authorities have banned tempo travellers on the Hadimba Temple Road and Old Manali Road from Rambagh Chowk. The Vashisht Temple Road is also burdened by recurring traffic bottlenecks, with minimal police presence on site.

In response to the crisis, Kullu Police have requested 180 additional personnel from headquarters in Shimla for the summer season. Tourist numbers in June have already doubled compared to May, straining key attractions such as Jalori Pass, Rohtang Pass, Jana Falls, Raghupurgarh, Saryolsar, and Manikaran.

Locals are calling for immediate upgrades to the region's outdated road infrastructure. As Kullu's economy rapidly expands, residents stress that development must keep pace-not just for the sake of tourism, but for the quality of everyday life.