Highway Hooliganism Sparks Outrage in Himachal
A disturbing reminder of rising tourist indiscipline has once again shaken Himachal Pradesh, after a video showing two youths indulging in dangerous antics on a busy highway went viral on social media.
The incident, reported from the Behna–Chakkar stretch of the Kiratpur–Manali four-lane highway on May 2, shows two young men leaning dangerously out of a moving car while openly drinking alcohol. Travelling in a Haryana-registered vehicle, the youths are seen with nearly half their bodies outside the windows, turning a scenic drive into a high-risk stunt—endangering not only their own lives but also those of other road users.
What has further angered locals is the complete lack of civic sense on display. The nearly 20-second video captures the youths casually throwing empty beer cans onto the highway after drinking, raising concerns about both road safety and growing litter on tourist routes.
The clip was reportedly filmed by passengers in a vehicle following the car and later shared online, where it quickly spread and drew widespread criticism. Residents say such incidents are no longer isolated and are steadily tarnishing the peaceful image of Himachal Pradesh.
Local communities have expressed deep concern over what they describe as increasingly reckless tourist behaviour—ranging from rash driving to public drinking and littering. Many feel that these actions disrupt the calm environment of the hill state and pose serious safety risks on roads that already demand careful driving.
Residents are now urging the administration to take swift and strict action against those involved and to strengthen enforcement on key highways and tourist corridors. They believe that heavier penalties, better monitoring, and visible policing are essential to curb such behaviour and protect both locals and responsible visitors.
As similar incidents continue to surface, the growing demand from people on the ground is clear: enjoyment of the hills should not come at the cost of safety, cleanliness, or respect for the region and its people.
