In a strong move highlighting a growing crisis, Himachal Pradesh legislator Surender Shourie has publicly demanded urgent government intervention to tackle the severe and recurring traffic chaos at two of the state's prime tourist attractions: Solang Valley and the iconic Atal Tunnel.
MLA Sounds Alarm Over Tourist Gridlock
Surender Shourie, the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Manali, has taken a firm and public stance against the administrative paralysis surrounding the traffic management at these key sites. The lawmaker's intervention comes after countless reports and complaints from tourists and locals alike, who have been trapped in hours-long gridlocks, turning holiday experiences into nightmares.
The core of the issue, as highlighted by Shourie, is the unchecked and unregulated influx of vehicles, particularly tourist taxis and private cars, into areas with limited carrying capacity. He pointedly criticized the lack of a concrete plan from the state's tourism and transport departments to manage this surge, which recurs every peak season.
Specific Grievances and Proposed Solutions
Focusing on Solang Valley, a major adventure sports hub near Manali, the MLA stated that the narrow approach road is simply incapable of handling the current volume of traffic. Vehicles often park haphazardly along the roadsides, blocking the way for others and creating complete standstills.
Regarding the Atal Tunnel—a engineering marvel connecting Manali to Lahaul-Spiti—Shourie raised concerns about traffic snarls at both its north and south portals. He emphasized that the tunnel, while a boon for connectivity, has become a bottleneck due to poor management and the absence of a proper queue system for vehicles waiting to enter.
In his demands to the state government, MLA Surender Shourie outlined several critical steps:
- Strict regulation of tourist taxi numbers permitted to travel to Solang Valley on a given day.
- Implementation of a dedicated parking policy and the deployment of sufficient traffic police to enforce it.
- Development of a robust traffic management system for the Atal Tunnel, including designated holding areas and digital queue management if necessary.
- Overall improvement of the road infrastructure leading to these hotspots to accommodate higher traffic flow safely.
Broader Impact on Tourism and Local Life
The persistent traffic chaos has consequences far beyond mere inconvenience. It tarnishes the tourist experience, potentially damaging Himachal Pradesh's reputation as a serene and well-managed holiday destination. For local residents, these jams disrupt daily commutes, delay essential services, and cause significant economic losses for businesses dependent on smooth logistics.
Shourie warned that without prompt and effective action, the situation will only deteriorate further, especially with upcoming holiday weekends and the summer tourist season in full swing. He stressed that the development of tourism infrastructure must go hand-in-hand with the creation of management protocols to handle the crowds it attracts.
The MLA's stern stance puts direct pressure on the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led state government to move beyond assurances and implement actionable solutions. The ball is now in the court of the tourism, transport, and public works departments to collaborate and present a time-bound plan to resolve the chronic traffic issues at Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel, ensuring the state's natural beauty remains accessible and enjoyable for all.
