Social issues

📹 1. Viral Tourist Crowd Videos in Shimla & Manali Multiple videos and clips on social media (Instagram reels, YouTube) show massive crowds of tourists arriving in Shimla and Manali ahead of New Year celebrations — with packed streets, full hotels, heavy traffic and busy tourist spots. These clips highlight: 🚗 2. Heavy Traffic & Congestion News videos show that traffic jams became common around Shimla on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with roads into the city and around The Ridge experiencing: This mirrors similar scenes in Manali and at Rohtang Pass, where viral footage of long vehicle jams and winding queues circulated online weeks before New Year as people drove toward the hills for their holiday trip. 🏨 3. Hotels Filled & ‘Housefull’ Signs Reports from news videos and local stories confirm that: This high occupancy added to the festive rush, with visitors often walking or waiting for taxis because of limited parking and lodging. ❄️ 4. Festive Atmosphere Despite Cold Weather Despite chilly temperatures in the mountains, tourists were seen celebrating enthusiastically: Even though some places (like Manali) didn’t get a white New Year due to lack of fresh snowfall, the expectation of snow and scenic winter weather kept enthusiasm high. 📱 5. Social Media Reaction & Debate The popularity of these videos sparked online discussion about modern travel culture: 🧭 6. Context: Larger New Year Travel Trend A national news piece also confirms that tourist spots across India — including Shimla — were swamped with visitors for New Year 2026. Hill stations, especially, were highlighted for heavy footfall and police reassurance patrols to maintain safety and order.