A recent trip to Manali turned into a harrowing experience for Bharat Sharma and his friends, who were stranded for nearly two days amid massive traffic jams, with limited access to food, water, or shelter.
Traffic Chaos and Passenger Ordeal
Hundreds of travelers from Delhi NCR flocked to the popular hill station over the Republic Day long weekend, drawn by the promise of snowfall and scenic views. However, what was meant to be a memorable holiday quickly turned into a nightmare as severe traffic congestion left many stranded inside their vehicles or forced to walk long distances amid icy conditions.
Bharat Sharma’s Experience
Bharat Sharma, 37, a government employee, recounts his ordeal. His group, including three friends—Vinay Chaudhary, Vijay Rohilla, and Rohit Nainthani—spent two days in Solang Valley, about 14 km above Manali, before deciding to head back to Delhi on January 23.
They reached Manali around 2 pm, expecting a smooth journey, but encountered a massive traffic jam about 2 km before Manali Mall Road. The congestion was so severe that their vehicle barely moved, crawling only 10 to 20 meters per hour. They spent the next 24 hours stuck in traffic, with minimal food and no access to toilets or proper shelter.
A Difficult Wait and Lack of Assistance
By January 24, the traffic finally eased after snow removal efforts, allowing Sharma and his friends to leave. However, their ordeal continued as they faced the hardships of being stranded in the cold without proper facilities. Hotels in Manali reportedly increased their prices exorbitantly, quoting rates of ₹15,000 to ₹17,000 per night, making accommodation impossible for many. Additionally, tourists claim that authorities offered little help, and some hotels refused to allow stranded visitors to use their washrooms.
Causes of the Traffic Jam
Videos circulating online show tourists abandoning their vehicles, walking on icy roads with luggage in hand, many slipping and falling. Sharma attributes the chaos to poor lane discipline, which is critical in narrow hilly roads. Failure by vehicles to follow proper lanes—especially when going uphill or downhill—exacerbated the gridlock, leading to dangerous stand-offs and widespread congestion.
The recent traffic chaos in Manali highlights the challenges faced by tourists during peak holiday seasons, with many stranded in uncomfortable and unsafe conditions due to inadequate traffic management and limited assistance from authorities.