Smog Drives Tourists to Shimla in Search of Cleaner Air
As post-Diwali pollution blankets Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, thousands of tourists are heading to Shimla for cleaner air and a welcome break from the smog-filled plains.
The influx is visible across popular destinations such as The Ridge, Mall Road, Jakhu, Kufri and Naldehra, bringing fresh momentum to the hill station’s tourism industry.
Shimla, too, has witnessed a slight rise in pollution after Diwali. Its Air Quality Index (AQI) has climbed to 66 from the usual average of around 55, but the air remains considerably cleaner than in many parts of the neighbouring plains.
Tourists are arriving not only from Delhi, Punjab and Haryana but also from West Bengal, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
For Kulbhushan Gupta, who travelled from Delhi with his family, getting away from the capital’s toxic air was the main reason for the trip.
“The AQI in Delhi is hovering around 450. Here it is around 66, and the weather is very pleasant. The air feels much fresher and has given us considerable relief from the pollution,” he said.
Tourist Rush Brings Cheer to Hoteliers
The rise in tourist arrivals has also lifted the mood in Shimla’s hospitality sector. Hoteliers said average occupancy is currently 40 to 50 per cent even on weekdays.
Tourism stakeholders expect the rush to increase further in the coming days, benefiting hotels, restaurants, taxi operators and other businesses dependent on visitors.
For many tourists, however, the reason for heading to Shimla is straightforward: a few days of fresh mountain air away from the choking smog back home.
