Thousands of visitors are stuck in a major traffic gridlock near the Atal Tunnel and Rohtang La in Himachal Pradesh, which is becoming a frustrating standstill. According to a video released by ANI, there was a severe traffic bottleneck on the 9.2-kilometer Atal Tunnel, which connects the districts of Kullu, Lahaul, and Spiti. The tunnel was constructed beneath the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, leaving travelers stuck in their cars.
The National Highway that runs between Manali and Keylong, and is an important route for reaching the famous Atal Tunnel and Rohtang Pass, is now a parking lot. There has been reported congestion for kilometers between Manali and Vashisth Chowk, Potato Ground to Rangadi, and Solang Nala to Atal Tunnel, causing traffic jams. The road to Shimla is beset by similar problems; traffic is clogging the highway that runs from the state capital to Shoghi.
An estimated 65,000 persons traveling in more than 12,000 automobiles passed through the Atal Tunnel on Sunday, according to police data, indicating a notable inflow of tourists in the area. The world's tallest single-tube tunnel above 10,000 feet is the 9.2 km long Atal Tunnel.
In the past two days, there have been reports of severe traffic jams as a large rush has started to come ahead of Christmas Eve. Travelers travel to places in Himachal Pradesh including Kasol and Manali to celebrate the occasion.
On the other hand, this is creating severe traffic congestion every day, and today there were large lineups in the Atal Tunnel, which connects the two sides of the Rohtang Pass. Prior to New Year's Eve, approximately one lakh tourists are anticipated in the state, according to the Himachal Pradesh police.