Viral Rohtang Pass traffic jam: Delhi's deteriorating AQI drives crowds to Himachal

Chilly winters have kicked in across Delhi and nearly all parts of Northern India, and with this, cities are now witnessing a rise in foggy conditions and reduced visibility on the roads. Amid this, Delhi specifically is seeing worsening AQI, which has everyone scrambling for fresh air. As the holidays near, families dream of crisp mountain vibes, snowy peaks, and a break from the haze. But what happens when too many chase that same escape?

A recent viral video shows jam-packed roads with numerous cars trying to find a way through to witness the hilly landscape.

Viral video shows jam-packed cars at Rohtang Pass

A video shared by Nikhil Saini on X on December 16 shows endless lines of cars jammed on the narrow Rohtang Pass road near Manali, Himachal Pradesh. No snow is in sight, no peak holidays yet, but vehicles are stretched far, with people stepping out amid loud honking.




Saini captioned it, “Escape from toxic AQI or what? This jam isn’t on some city road, it’s Rohtang Pass. No snowfall yet. No vacations. Still such massive traffic. So what exactly is pulling everyone up there?”

This comes as Delhi's air quality remains rough. On Tuesday, the AQI hit 380 in the 'very poor' category, with smog cutting visibility and causing breathing woes, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. It dipped to 329 on Wednesday, which still remained in the 'very poor' category, possibly pushing many toward the hills for relief.

Social media is abuzz with mixed reactions

Online reactions express shock, sarcasm, and worry over unregulated crowds hitting sensitive zones. One user wrote, "White and White and White Cars! No Snow but still everything is white." Another said, "The mountains look less like a mountain pass, more like a road in Gurgaon or Greater Noida West, full of dirt only."

Another user wrote, "Now I understand why Goa tickets are available at cheap rates this peak season!" Another expressed frustration: "Horrible as ever. Mountains are not calling anyone. They are screaming for help and want to avoid all cars."

Another comment added, "It’s striking to see such massive traffic at Rohtang Pass, especially when there’s no snowfall or vacations. This is one of the most fragile ecological zones in the region, not equipped to handle such volumes of tourists. Beyond environmental stress, it’s also a highly risky zone - landslides, sudden weather changes, and accidents are constant threats. Without proper regulations and controlled access, this could quickly turn into a serious catastrophe. There’s an urgent need for new policies to manage visitor flow, protect the ecosystem, and ensure safety in such sensitive high-altitude areas."

According to reports from The Tribune, over 1,000 tourist vehicles and 100 buses flood Manali daily amid Christmas-New Year hype, worsened by lane-jumping and damaged roads between Manali and Palchan. Rohtang's high altitude makes it prone to slips and sudden weather changes, and this off-season snarl calls for smarter travel to keep the hills breathable for all.