Hill stations swamped as Gandhi Jayanti holidays draw massive tourist surge

Hill stations across north India experienced severe overcrowding during the Gandhi Jayanti long weekend, with surging tourist numbers creating acute shortages in lodging and widespread traffic congestion on key routes.

Nainital bore the brunt of the influx, with approximately 12,000 tourists arriving over the weekend period. Hotels, homestays and guest houses reached full capacity, forcing many visitors to search for accommodation well into the night. Several travellers unable to secure rooms by 1 AM were left with no choice but to spend the night at local bus terminals.

Traffic disruptions rippled across the region's major attractions. Shimla witnessed traffic jams extending several kilometres, while the Badrinath route saw vehicles backed up for 7 to 9 kilometres. Manali also reported heightened traffic pressure as holidaymakers navigated congested approaches to the popular destination.

The surge underscores persistent challenges facing Himalayan tourism infrastructure during peak seasons. Holiday weekends and extended breaks continue to strain accommodation capacity and road networks, creating difficulties for both visitors and local authorities managing visitor flows.