Nearly 12 Lakh Vehicles Flood Shimla in 2 Months, City Chokes at Entry Points
Shimla is currently feeling the pressure of peak tourist season, with traffic congestion becoming a daily challenge for both residents and visitors. The town’s main entry points—Shoghi, Totu, and Dhalli—are witnessing heavy bottlenecks, especially during busy hours, where vehicles often move at a painfully slow pace.
Over the past few weeks, the influx of vehicles has surged dramatically. Police data reveals that nearly 8.5 lakh vehicles entered Shimla through its key access routes in May alone. The trend has continued into June, with around 3.8 lakh vehicles already arriving in the town. This steady stream of traffic has overwhelmed the road network, turning commutes into long and frustrating journeys.
In response to the growing congestion, local authorities have stepped up their efforts to manage the situation. Shimla SSP Gaurav Singh shared that around 210 police personnel and home guards have been stationed across important junctions to regulate traffic flow. Additionally, authorities have requested permission to retain around 70 reserve personnel who were initially deployed during the Summer Festival.
To further strengthen the traffic management system, about 50 volunteers have been brought in to assist on the ground, while 32 traffic bike riders are actively monitoring different areas to quickly respond to any issues. These measures aim to ensure quicker intervention and smoother movement wherever possible.
The police have also adopted a more structured approach by dividing the town into five sectors. Each sector is being supervised by a gazetted officer, whose responsibility is to maintain uninterrupted traffic flow and coordinate management efforts efficiently.
Parking areas, often a major source of congestion, are also being closely monitored. Special personnel have been deployed at key parking lots to regulate entry and exit, helping to prevent unnecessary blockages and spillover traffic on nearby roads.
Authorities are also urging commuters to take smarter travel decisions. Tourists and residents heading towards destinations like Kufri, Narkanda, Theog, and Kinnaur are being encouraged to use the Shoghi-Mehli bypass. Currently, around 800 vehicles are diverted to this route each day, helping ease the burden on the primary entry points.
To keep people informed and aware, the police are actively using social media platforms to share traffic updates and educational videos. They are also promoting the use of public transportation, which has been allowed on Cart Road, as a practical alternative to private vehicles.
While these efforts are helping to manage the situation, the sheer volume of tourist inflow continues to test Shimla’s infrastructure, making traffic congestion an ongoing challenge during the busy season.
